This stirring parable chronicles the journey of an abandoned boy. It is a narrative of both rejection and hope, exploring the emotional life of a lost soul and his resiliency in the face of a corrupt adult world. It is also a moving examination of the need people have for each other. A story of friendship, obstacles and compassion in a small working-class neighborhood.
The tale begins with young Cyril (Thomas Doret), obsessively searching for his father and lost bike. Confused, sad and determined to escape foster care, Cyril enlists the help of Samantha, (Cécile de France), a kind, compassionate woman, persuading her to take him into her care.
Expectations aren’t always met. Cyril does find his father, but encounters a final, severe rejection. Despite Samantha’s care and comfort, Cyril’s search to find his place in the world and his desperation for friendship lead him into the realm of gang culture. Instead of rejecting the boy for his misplaced loyalty, the community helps Cyril emerge from these violent circumstances.
‘The Kid With a Bike’ is written and directed by Belgian Brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, whose films are defined by a stripped-down, realist style. This clarity perhaps gives the story its strong moral impact. Made under the production title Délivrez-moi!, meaning ‘Set me free!’ the film is a tale of liberation from the frustrations and unfairness of reality.
The Dardenne brothers are known for their social-realist portraits of the marginalised and themes of trust, love and parenthood.
In French, with English subtitles, ‘The Kid With a Bike’ was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film.
In the words of one viewer “The film should be required viewing for everyone who has lost faith in the power of random acts of kindness.”
The Kid With a Bike (M)
Raglan Old School Arts Centre in Stewart St,.
Saturday July 21 at 8.00pm and Sunday July 22 at 4.30pm.
Reserves Ph 825 0023 or Email info@raglanartscentre.co.nz
Hope it gets even more at the Sunday showing. Thanks for a film with a very credible, thought-provoking, story line and lots of action. Reminded me how rusty my French has become, but the sub-titles worked well.
A few more saw it on Sunday. Somehow when I watch a great movie like this one with subititles the words just go straight into my head and they seem to be speaking English anyway.