(France/1967—directed by Claude Berri)

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 eight-year-old, Claude (played with extraordinary delicacy by first-time actor Alain Cohen), bonds with the irascible, staunchly anti-Semitic Grampa (the great Michel Simon of l’Atalante and Boudu Saved From Drowning), who improbably becomes his friend and confidant – though young Claude must constantly be on his guard to keep the truth from being revealed. Poignant and often surprisingly lighthearted, The Two of Us was acclaimed debut feature from director Claude Berri (Jean de Florette); it was based on own childhood experiences, and gave the legendary Simon one of his most memorable roles in the twilight of his career. Also: Berri’s Oscar®-winning 1962 short Le Poulet (The Chicken). In French with English subtitles. (99 min. total)