Description
Mondo 1995
1h 20min | Drama | 17 April 1996 (France)
Storyline
Mondo is a homeless young boy, with a big smile, who wanders around Nice looking for food and a place to sleep.
User review:
Mondo is based on a short story by French author J.M.G. Le Clézio. The story is the first in a collection of stories about children. In each narrative a child is in some way alienated from the dominant culture while at the same time embodying something that this culture is missing.
In Gatlif’s retelling, Mondo is alienated by the busy consumer society of Nice, France: he is always hiding from city officials who try to arrest him and he feels ill-at-ease in the bustling downtown area. He makes his home among the other marginalized Niçois: the homeless, foreigners, gypsies, etc. Gatlif artfully frames the life of Mondo and his friends and makes the viewer feel sympathy for society’s rejects.
Gatlif shows how Mondo changes people who let him into their lives while demonstrating the blindness of government agencies that deal with stray children.
Director: Tony Gatlif
Writers: Jean-Marie G. Le Clezio (novel), Tony Gatlif
Stars: Ovidiu Balan, Philippe Petit, Pierrette Fesch
Country: France
Language: French
Release Date: 30 May 1997 (USA)
Also Known As: Mondo
Filming Locations: Menton, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Theodor Stadler (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Mondo is no ordinary homeless boy in Nice, France. He is clean, looks sharp, and enjoys life with vigor. He wanders the streets bringing joy to those who meet him. He has an irresistible smile. He befriends a street magician, a fisherman, etc. Then there is the nice Vietnamese lady who takes him in when he falls ill. Mondo is a free soul who isn’t looking for foster parents or a home. He enjoys a simple life. However, the authorities are after him. Can he escape capture from the powers that be? Mondo warmed my heart. This film is poetry. I give it 5 stars.