Children of Paradise: Discussion Questions 1. Ben McCann argues that this film is an allegory of the

Occupation. What elements of the film function as Allegory? What elements of the film suggest the Occupation? What message does the film seem to convey about these two things?

2. Another aspect of the film that McCann points to is the relationship between the theater and the street or life and art. In what way does this duality function in the film? What elements of the film suggest theater and which street? Do these elements blur and intertwine? If so, where?

3. Think about space and time in this film. How is each structured by the film (camerawork and editing)? How does each function? In what way do space and time contribute to the themes above?

Children of Paradise

Themes, Settings, Context, Visual Composition

Context

Made during Nazi Occupation in “Free” France (Studios de la Victorine)

Made outside of official production channels (not through Continental Films)

Made collaboratively in studio production style with many of the “stars” of French cinema (actors, producers, set designers, etc.)

Made during rationing and shortages (via the blackmarket) but mise-en-scene belies this

Setting

Historical Setting

Paris—Boulevard du Temple (Boulevard du Crime) Theater 1840s References to actual historical figures (Fréderick

Lemaître, Baptiste / Jean-Gaspard Debureau) Fictionalized account that blends elements of

history

Decors (Scenes)

Street and Theater

Themes

Life vs art (theater vs reality) Art vs. art (mime vs. theater / theater vs. cinema) Sound vs. silence (what can and can’t be said) Censorship / Surveillance Performance (Role Playing) Power (economic, political, artistic) Resistance / Revolution Love