Zero de Conduite is messy, chaotic, and kind of perfect

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like a messy, joyous riot, yes. If you need a plot that makes sense from A to Z, you might get annoyed. It’s short, punchy, and honestly, a bit weird. It’s for anyone who remembers the feeling of being trapped in a classroom and wanting to tear the curtains down.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Zero de Conduite (1933) through its definitive frames.

There’s a scene with a pillow fight that goes on forever. It’s feathers everywhere. Slow motion, feathers floating like snow, and the boys just jumping on beds like their lives depend on it. It’s one of those moments that feels less like a movie and more like a captured memory. It’s probably the best part of the whole thing.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Zero de Conduite (1933) through its definitive frames.

The teachers? They’re all these weird little caricatures. They walk funny, they squint at the kids, they look like they’re made of bad intentions and old parchment. The headmaster is particularly small and twitchy. It’s hard to tell if he’s actually scary or just pathetic.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Zero de Conduite (1933) through its definitive frames.

The pacing is all over the place. Sometimes it feels like a silent comedy, then it gets weirdly dark, then suddenly it’s a full-on revolution. It doesn’t hold your hand. It just drops you in the dorm room and hopes you keep up. I really liked that.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Zero de Conduite (1933) through its definitive frames.

It’s funny how some movies try to capture the soul of youth by being super dramatic. This one just shows kids being brats. It’s much more honest. They don’t want to save the world; they just want to stop being told what to do.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Zero de Conduite (1933) through its definitive frames.

The photography is grainy and sharp at the same time. It feels like you’re watching something you weren't supposed to find. If you’ve seen The Unwelcome Mother, you know how hard it is to make a movie about children feel authentic without being sugary. Vigo doesn't even try to be sweet.

• The headmaster’s mustache is a character on its own.
• The music choice is surprisingly bouncy for such a grim setting.
• The final roof scene is complete chaos.

It’s barely an hour long, so you have no excuse not to watch it. It’s not some grand, polished epic. It’s just a beautiful, short, and slightly grumpy bit of film. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. 🎈