The 400 Blows

One of the finest debuts in the history of cinema, Truffaut’s deceptively simple film tells the story of the brash yet misunderstood Antoine Doinel. Growing up in a modest environment, the spirited Antoine encounters stern punishment both at home and at school. He rebels by running amok in the streets and cinemas of Paris as Truffaut perfectly captures the bursting energy of childhood in a love letter to the French capital.

A huge critical and commercial success, this film remains a pivotal milestone in the history of La Nouvelle Vague and launched its poster boy, Jean-Pierre Léaud.