Title: Le Petit Soldat
Year: 1963
Director: Jean Luc Godard
Country: France
Language: French
Le Petit Soldat (1963) was technically Jean Luc Godard's second feature after Breathless (1960), but French Authorities were so offended by the content that it was banned from cinemas for several years. The film opposed the Algerian war (see: Battle of Algiers) & predicted that the French would lose due to lack of idealism. By the time it was released, France had granted Algeria its independence.
During the Algerian War, a man (Michel Subor) and woman (Anna Karina) from opposing sides fall in love with one another.
Le Petit Soldat was met with indifference when it was finally released. The truth about the Algierian War had already come out & the public wanted to move on. It immediately felt dated - and still feels dated today. The film is inspired by American noir, but is far more restrained and introspective. The main character resists action to find his authentic self.
Godard's direction gives Le Petit Soldat a documentary, cinema-verite look. He used handheld cameras and experimented with sound design. His visual trademarks make this a necessary viewing for those interested in Nouvelle Vague Cinema. As its an earlier picture in his filmography (again, technically the second) it suffers from being too slow paced. Better editing would have improved this experience.
I did not enjoy Le Petit Soldat as much as I enjoyed Breathless (1960) and Vivre Sa Vie (1962), but I do appreciate what Godard was trying to show. Anna Karina is as lovely as always; I can't wait to watch more films with her in them.
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