A Bag of Marbles
A harrowing yet hopeful odyssey through Nazi-occupied France, where the innocent clatter of glass marbles echoes against the crushing weight of survival, identity, and a stolen childhood preserved in a pocket.
A Bag of Marbles
A Bag of Marbles

Un sac de billes

"Home Is Where Family Is"

18 January 2017 Belgium 113 min ⭐ 7.8 (883)
Director: Christian Duguay
Cast: Dorian Le Clech, Batyste Fleurial, Patrick Bruel, Elsa Zylberstein, Bernard Campan
Drama War
Brotherhood and Loyalty The Burden of Secret Identity Loss of Innocence The Duality of Humanity
Budget: $21,400,000
Box Office: $10,898,998

A Bag of Marbles - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Un frère est quelqu'un à qui on rend la dernière bille qu'on vient de lui gagner.

— Joseph (Narrating)

Context:

Reflecting on his relationship with Maurice during their childhood games in Paris.

Meaning:

Defines the essence of selfless love. It suggests that in the face of absolute competition (the war), the only thing that matters is the kindness we show to those closest to us.

Vous allez me jurer que jamais vous direz à qui que ce soit que vous êtes juif. Jamais.

— Roman Joffo

Context:

Said during the emotional goodbye in Paris before the boys depart for the Free Zone.

Meaning:

The central commandment of the film. It highlights the tragic irony where the father must teach his sons to deny their identity in order to preserve their lives.

T'es juif, Joseph? — Non.

— Roman and Joseph

Context:

Roman strikes Joseph repeatedly to simulate a Nazi interrogation, forcing him to learn how to lie under pressure.

Meaning:

The "slap scene"; a test of Joseph's resolve. It shows that survival in this era required a total psychological commitment to a lie.