If you loved
Au Revoir les Enfants
Louis Malle · Film · 1987
What hooked you in Au Revoir les Enfants was the way the crushing weight of history irreparably alters the fragile innocence of youth.
Books on the same thread
The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini · Book · 2003
Like Au Revoir les Enfants, this novel explores how political instability and betrayal test the bonds of childhood friendship, leaving a permanent mark on the protagonists' adult lives.
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr · Book · 2017
This narrative mirrors the occupied setting of Au Revoir les Enfants, focusing on the harrowing survival of children forced to navigate the moral complexities of a world at war.
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah · Book · 2015
You will recognize the somber atmosphere of Au Revoir les Enfants here, as the story highlights the immense personal sacrifices required when ordinary lives are upended by wartime occupation.
The Nearest Faraway Place
Hayley Long · Book · 2017
This story captures the same profound sense of grief and sudden loss found in Au Revoir les Enfants, centering on how brothers must navigate life after a tragic event.
Series on the same thread
Looking for Alaska
Josh Schwartz · Series · 2019
The boarding school setting and the inevitable, tragic loss of innocence mirror the emotional core of Au Revoir les Enfants, emphasizing the vulnerability of youth within institutional boundaries.
We Are Who We Are
Luca Guadagnino · Series · 2020
Similar to the intimate camaraderie in Au Revoir les Enfants, this series examines how sheltered adolescents find identity and connection while living under the shadow of military influence.
Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas
Series · 2009
The bond between these young characters facing an impossible war echoes the deep friendship seen in Au Revoir les Enfants, where personal loyalty is tested by overwhelming external forces.
Chernobyl
Craig Mazin · Series · 2019
This historical account shares the gravity of Au Revoir les Enfants, illustrating the human cost of catastrophic events and the quiet heroism required to face them with dignity.
Podcasts on the same thread
What It Was Like
Podcast
These personal narratives capture the same raw, lived-in perspective of trauma that defines Au Revoir les Enfants, providing an intimate portrait of survival in the wake of extreme events.
She Matters
Podcast
Just as Au Revoir les Enfants honors the memory of those lost in tragedy, this podcast documents the heartbreaking reality of lives cut short, focusing on remembrance and advocacy.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Au Revoir les Enfants based on a true story?
Yes, Au Revoir les Enfants is based on events from the childhood of the writer and director, Louis Malle. The film depicts a story of friendship and loss at a Catholic boarding school in Nazi-occupied France during the period of his own youth.
What is the primary setting of Au Revoir les Enfants?
The story of Au Revoir les Enfants takes place at a provincial Catholic boarding school located in Nazi-occupied France. The film focuses on the lives of two boys who develop a friendship within this environment until a secret is eventually revealed.
Does Au Revoir les Enfants focus on the friendship between two boys?
Yes, Au Revoir les Enfants centers on the camaraderie between two precocious youths living in a boarding school. Their relationship is described as a heartbreaking story of friendship that faces a devastating loss once the secret regarding their situation is revealed.
What are the main themes explored in Au Revoir les Enfants?
Au Revoir les Enfants explores themes of courage, cowardice, and a tragic awakening. These elements are presented through the perspective of two young boys as they navigate their friendship and the difficult realities of life in Nazi-occupied France during the period depicted in the film.