Wild Reeds (1994)

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This is a nostalgic French coming-of-age drama from director Andre Techine set in a Provence deeply divided over the war for independence being waged against French colonialism in Algeria. In 1962, Francois (Gael Morel) and Maite (Elodie Bouchez) are best friends and students at a boarding school in southwestern France, where Maite's mother Madame Alvarez (Michele Moretti) is an instructor. Francois is realizing he's gay because of his attraction to his working class roommate Serge (Stephane Rideau). Although Serge seduces Francois one night, he is not gay and is actually attracted to Maite. So is Henri (Frederic Gorny), a radically-politicized Algerian-born Frenchman who supports France in the war, an unpopular position, particularly with Madame Alvarez, a communist. The classroom sparring between Henri and Alvarez galvanizes the school, but then word comes that Serge's older brother has been killed in the war. Madame Alvarez, who loved him but refused to help him desert the military, becomes so unhinged that she must be sent away for treatment. Wild Reeds (1994) won four Cesars (France's equivalent of the Oscar), including the award for that year's Best Picture, beating such other notable films as Red (1994) and Queen Margot (1994). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

André Téchiné

Writer(s):

Olivier Massart, André Téchiné, Gilles Taurand

Producer(s):

Jean-Jacques Albert, Georges Benayoun, Alain Sarde

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

NR(Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language)

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• 1994 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Director
• 1994 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Picture
• 1994 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Original Screenplay
• 1994 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Original Screenplay
• 1994 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Original Screenplay
• 1994 - French Academy of Cinema - Most Promising Young Actress
• 1994 - French Film Critics Circle - Prix Louis-Delluc
• 1994 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Foreign Language Film
• 1995 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Screenplay (Runner-up)
• 1995 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Screenplay (Runner-up)
• 1995 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Screenplay (Runner-up)
• 1995 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Foreign Film
• 1995 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Foreign Film