Something in the Air

France

The direct translation of the title is 'After May' which makes a lot more sense to an audience with any historical awareness. The May in question was 1968 when the youth of France, disgusted with the corruption/rot in the government and social systems controlling the country staged mass actions against the state to try to effect change. They ultimately failed and this film shows why..

We follow a group of committed high schoolers who vandalize, publish revolutionary tracts, stage rallies, etc. As time goes on we watch the gradual evolution of their lives as, individually, they make necessary life choices which move them away from political activism. Really, we watch them 'grow up.'

Sharp and insightful the film gains its strength by initially highlighting their fervor then showing the gradual, steady erosion of their beliefs as they are forced to compromise to get by in the larger society. The theme is the idealism of the young and its fading. Twas ever thus...

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