Jean Vigo's whimsical school days gone bonkers, short film, Zero for Conduct seems harmless in this day and age but was soon censored by the government after its release in 1933. A free form light hearted comedy, officials failed to see the humor as it mocked the French system in general while inferring certain topics on verboten subjects.
Set at a boarding school it opens with two students on a train making fast friends by way of silly antics. Once at the station they are confronted by stern, sober teachers with the exception of an energetic new hire that makes him suspect. Browbeaten by inept teachers the kids plan to revolt on open house day.
Vigo instills Zero with moments of poetic gracefulness such as pillow fight in slow motion as well as make his point about the stale school system with its insipid educators and pompous officials. Vigo also adds some other deft touches that separate it from standard narrative films with dabs of surrealism and a nod to Charlie Chaplin and silent film.
Overall the film's free style presentation is invigorating but also ragged and diffuse in moments as Vigo makes his points in this brief film that clearly influenced, Truffaut's 400 Blows and Lindsay Anderson's "If..." A provocative and incendiary work from a true poet (L'Atalante) in a career cut short.
Set at a boarding school it opens with two students on a train making fast friends by way of silly antics. Once at the station they are confronted by stern, sober teachers with the exception of an energetic new hire that makes him suspect. Browbeaten by inept teachers the kids plan to revolt on open house day.
Vigo instills Zero with moments of poetic gracefulness such as pillow fight in slow motion as well as make his point about the stale school system with its insipid educators and pompous officials. Vigo also adds some other deft touches that separate it from standard narrative films with dabs of surrealism and a nod to Charlie Chaplin and silent film.
Overall the film's free style presentation is invigorating but also ragged and diffuse in moments as Vigo makes his points in this brief film that clearly influenced, Truffaut's 400 Blows and Lindsay Anderson's "If..." A provocative and incendiary work from a true poet (L'Atalante) in a career cut short.