"Childhood Chaos Depicted in Bruno Dumont's 'Red Rocks'"

If you've ever thought kids are just mini adults trying on adult behaviors without fully understanding them, French director Bruno Dumont is on the same page. The big screen has always had a knack for capturing the compelling spontaneity of children, from "The 400 Blows" to "The Florida Project". Dumont, a former philosophy professor with nearly three decades in the industry, has a penchant for showcasing the striking authenticity of young people. Remember "Li'l Quinquin" (2014), or his quirky musicals about France's patron saint "Jeannette," (2017) and "Joan of Arc" (2019)? All of these films unravel a deep, intriguing exploration of children engaging, for instance, in theological disputes or observing acts of violence with blank-eyed curiosity.

Now, Dumont is back in action with his latest feature, "Red Rocks". Ever seen a group of five to seven-year-olds cliff diving, engaging in a mini motorbike chase, or partaking in the kiddie edition of gang wars? That's "Red Rocks" for you. The film delivers this in long, largely silent shots, making these adrenaline-fueled activities seem remarkably nonchalant. But as a mesmerizing art-house film, it's sure to serve up a generous feast of cerebral content for those patient enough to savor it.

While "Red Rocks" is a calm retreat for Dumont, compared to his last year's media satire "France," starring Lea Seydoux, and his divisive "Star Wars" parody "The Empire," its pulse is very much alive. Our pint-sized protagonist, Géo (Kaylon Lancel), together with his tiny crew (Louise Podolski and Mohamed Coly), encounter another threesome while indulging in their most loved activity - scaling rocky formations and taking breath-holding plunge into the seas. Cupid's arrow strikes Geo and Eva (Kelsie Verdeilles), another gang member, but their puppy love seems threatened by Eva’s other boyfriend B (Alessandro Piquera). But don’t mistake this for a conventional love story; romance here is a minimalist affair, featuring giggles, awkward eye contact, and hand-holding.

Carlos Alfonso Corral's camerawork alternates between close-ups of their cherubic faces and wide exterior shots of the rugged coastal landscape. The result feels like a psychedelic merge of "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood" and "Thomas & Friends," with the Mediterranean setting shrunken into a surreal playground for these kiddos. And yes, the crazy climbing measures they undertake do look a tad bit extreme, but this is a factor that only amps the film’s wild energy.

The central “love story” of the film is essentially a means to highlight the playfulness and bizarre reactions of these children, which could turn out somewhat repetitive over the movie’s 90 minute run time. But their animated antics and entertaining physicalities never fail to spark amusement and thrill. Dumont's "Red Rocks" brilliantly toes the line between the divine and the absurd, offering a fresh perspective on the depiction of childhood. It might be a shift for the seasoned director typically known for his detailed character development, but it's worth applauding his fearless experimentation. Well, who said adulthood should have all the fun?