The 400 Blows Excerpt 4: Antoine and René skip school; the rotor scene; Antoine’s mother and her lover (3’55”).

Excerpt 4

 Questions

1. What do Antoine and René do instead of going to school (several things)?
2. Note the subtle transition (swish pans) between the two shots where the boys go to the movies.
3.

Why are the movies important to Antoine?

4.

Note the interplay between Antoine’s viewpoint and that of the spectators while the rotor is spinning. How may we describe Antoine’s state of mind during this scene?

5.

What metaphorical value may we see in the rotor?

6. Note Truffaut’s presence in the rotor, after we see the lady and the other man. How may we interpret this presence?
7.

What troubling scene does Antoine witness at the end of this excerpt? What parallel is created between children and adults here?