Tendres cousines (1980) Directed by David Hamilton
Romance / Drama
Film Synopsis
In June 1939, Julien, 15, arrives to spend his summer holidays at his
parents' home in the country. The latter run a guesthouse and
their guests include a German scientist, Professor Unrath, and his
daughter, Lieselotte. Julien is smitten with his cousin Julia,
who is a few years older than him, but she apparently has no interest
in him. She is more taken with Charles, a young man in his
twenties who has amorous designs on her. Whilst Julien tries in
vain to court Julia, it is Lieselotte whom he attracts. Then war
breaks out and the men must leave to join the army. With so few
men around, Julien becomes the main object of interest for the women in
his entourage. Julia begins to warm to him and the two embark on
a tender romance...
Continental Films, quality cinema under the Nazi Occupation
At the time of the Nazi Occupation of France during WWII, the German-run company Continental produced some of the finest films made in France in the 1940s.
It was American film noir and pulp fiction that kick-started the craze for thrillers in 1950s France and made it one of the most popular and enduring genres.