A tiny boarding-school: there are only six students and they belong to a so called bourgeoisie ; the headmistress rules them with a rod of iron but it does not prevent them from smoking at night in their dormitory :it may explain (it's not precised) the fire which destroys the place ;thus the girls have to take refuge in their family's place ; then it becomes a film made up of sketches,a genre Julien Duvivier lent credibility to ("un carnet de bal").

It 's Le Hénaff's wish,but it's the great Duvivier's reality ; the films drags on;after an interminable part in the boarding-school , including a musical sequence which is mostly filler ,one makes acquaintance with the families ; all are broke , a mother has become a third-rate actress and has her daughter pass of as her sister ,for fear they may guess her age ; a father runs a night club .

One can save,at a pinch two sequences:Fernand Ledoux , short of the readies ,has become a clown ,complete with make up ; then Gaby Morlay ,as a false fortune-teller, provides the movie with a welcome comic relief.

If there's a lesson to be learned from this so-so effort, it's that family is one of the bedrock of society (along with work and homeland) : its was the Occupation days and Maréchal Pétain 's motto ; as the very last picture bears out, it reflects the zeitgeist of those somber years.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

After a fire at their boarding school, six girls return home unexpectedly, uncovering the hidden lives of their parents. From secret gambling to surprising professions, their arrival disrupts family facades and leads to romance.

Compagnie Commerciale Française Cinématographique (CCFC)

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