While student demonstrations in Paris escalate into street battles and the revolt spreads across the country, the life of the Jewish-Christian Boltanski family on Rue de Grenelle continues its slightly chaotic yet peaceful course. Four generations live together in an apartment that includes a secret hiding place, one which saved lives during the German occupation.
Though the family observes the social upheaval with sympathy, the Boltanskis have always lived by their own rules. They philosophise and theorise, interpret religion with an open mind, and vividly model the importance of storytelling for their children and grandchildren. And because the Boltanskis naturally always stand by the underdogs, even a high-ranking victim of the new order finds temporary refuge with them. At least, that’s how the charming legend goes. The result is a lovingly crafted film based on the childhood memories of writer Christophe Boltanski, whose characters grow ever more endearing the deeper one enters their world.
Text: Susanne Stern