Post by criterionmaster on Mar 17, 2007 19:18:48 GMT -5
A young Jewish boy living in Nazi-occupied Paris is sent by his parents to the countryside to live with an elderly Catholic couple until France's liberation. Forced to hide his identity, the boy, Claude (played delicately by first-time actor Alain Cohen), bonds with the irascible, staunchly anti-Semitic Pepe (Michel Simon), who, improbably, becomes a friend and confidant to the child. Based on own childhood experiences, the poignant, light-hearted The Two of Us was acclaimed director Claude Berri's first feature film and gave legendary actor Michel Simon one of his most memorable roles at the twilight of his career.
DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Le poulet (1962), director Claude Berri’s Oscar-winning short film, an earlier, playful take on the subject of disguise
- New video interviews, with Berri and actor Alain Cohen
- Two interviews from 1967: Berri on his family roots and identity and Michel Simon on his role
- An excerpt from a 1975 French talk-show segment, “The Jewish Children of Occupied France,” featuring Berri and the woman who helped secure his family’s safety during World War II
- Original theatrical trailer
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic David Sterritt, an appreciation of the film by François Truffaut, and excerpts from Berri’s memoir
