Forbidden Games (1952) – Filming Locations
Drama / War · Directed by René Clément · Starring Georges Poujouly, Brigitte Fossey
Orphaned after a Nazi air raid, Paulette, a young Parisian girl, runs into Michel, an older peasant boy, and the two quickly become close. Together, they try to make sense of the chaotic and crumbling world around them, attempting to cope with death as they create a burial ground for Paulette's deceased pet dog. Eventually, however, Paulette's stay with Michel's family is threatened by the harsh realities of wartime.
Where was Forbidden Games filmed?
- Île-de-France, France, Paris – Opening sequences showing the German invasion and rural French landscape where children play. The film was shot on location in the countryside surrounding Paris to capture the authentic rural setting of occupied France during World War II
- Marolles-en-Brie, France, Marolles-en-Brie – Primary setting where Michel and Paulette form their bond and bury the dead bird. This small village served as the main location for the film, providing an authentic backdrop for the children's innocent world and their secret cemetery game
- Seine Valley, France, Seine Valley – Exterior scenes of the surrounding landscape and the children's explorations. The natural beauty of the Seine Valley countryside was utilized throughout the film to establish the pastoral, timeless quality of the children's world