The 400 Blows, the directorial debut of François Truffaut and a groundbreaking work of French New Wave cinema, is a coming-of-age story about a boy growing up in Paris, rebelling against the discipline of his teachers and parents and longing — whether he knows it or not — for a life of authentic expression. (It’s also an early “juvenile delinquents” movie, but that’s a series for another month.) Stark and magnificent, it is, in every sense, essential.

In French with English subtitles.

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This screening is held in the Historic Duncan Auditorium. This space utilizes open seating for this event, seat selection is not required.