September 5 at the French Film Archive

Cyrus 2022-10-24 08:22:34

The theater is very large, with an attendance rate of 70%, and half of the audience is elderly. When the old people met, a few old friends greeted each other far away, and the theater was like a harmonious village, a movie village.

Young people my age account for almost 30%, a new generation in the film village. In the peaceful era, we watched the children of post-war Italy in the movie in the cinema, and they watched Chaplin in the United States under the economic depression in the movie. They broke out in a riot for freedom, and we sat silently.

The beginning of the story was simple and easy. When the two boys rode proudly across the screen, there were bursts of laughter from the audience. When the little boy said plausibly, "We are in one group!", we can feel his new worldly pride: I am allied with people and trusted by others.

Then, the plot took a turn for the worse. I have to admire the acting skills of these two little actors. When they were pushed to the police station by the police, they interpreted the children's ignorance and undisguised terror in a special place.

The other plots are simple and clear. There is trust in the adult world, as well as conspiracy and betrayal. Nowadays, young people are already familiar with these rules, so they watch the collapse of trust and friendship between children indifferently—as a compulsory course for growth. The most distressing one is the sick little actor, who is protected by everyone and is full of kindness to the world. When his mother didn't come to see him, he cried aggrievedly, which made my eyes hot. Does every child’s childhood have parents who make people wait and do not keep their promises?

In the end, death is too plain for me, because death is the easiest way to face the evil of the world. After the friendship dissipated, the white horse walked away, the lights in the theater were on, bon ben... Welcome back to the adult world.

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Extended Reading

Shoeshine quotes

  • Mr. Anucci: Boy! I've told you enough times not to leave the horse unattended.

    Giuseppe Filippucci: But that's not a horse, it's a small table.

  • Giuseppe Filippucci: Whoever invented the elevator is a genius.

    Pasquale Maggi: Tell me about it. I slept in one for three months.