CYCLE CINEMA #04
“The Kid With a Bike (Le gamin au vélo)”
The boy abandoned by his father searches for hope on a bicycle.

“The Kid With a Bike (Le gamin au vélo)” (2012, directed by the Dardenne brothers) is, as the title suggests, a story centered around a boy and his bicycle. The protagonist is Cyril, a boy living in a Belgian foster care facility. One day, his cell phone with his father suddenly goes offline. When he contacts the apartment manager, they claim that his father has moved away. He can’t believe it. His father wouldn’t just move without telling him. Moreover, his precious means of transportation, his bicycle, is still in his father’s apartment. Cyril runs away from the facility and visits the apartment, but as the manager said, his father has already moved, and there’s no sign of the bicycle. Cyril has been abandoned by his father.

During his search for his father, Cyril coincidentally meets Samantha, who runs a beauty salon. Samantha informs him that a neighborhood kid is riding Cyril’s bicycle. Cyril exclaims, “It’s been stolen!” but, in reality, his father had sold it for money. Samantha buys back the bicycle and presents it to Cyril. With the bicycle, Cyril can cover a wider area in his search for his father. For Cyril, who has faced an unfair life, the bicycle represents hope. He must have been delighted to meet Samantha’s kindness. Cyril asks Samantha to become his “weekend foster parent,” and she agrees. This development and concept might be unconventional, something not seen in Japanese films, but the story continues regardless. Eventually, they locate Cyril’s father, but he declares, “I can’t handle the responsibility” and “Don’t come to see me anymore,” effectively abandoning his parental duties. In exchange for losing his father, the boy gradually opens up to Samantha and forms a connection with her.

Cyril’s primary mode of transportation is almost always his bicycle. In other words, his world is practically defined by the distance he can travel on his bike. However, this symbol of freedom, his chromoly mountain bike, gets stolen multiple times. In my mind, I can’t help but think, “Come on, Cyril, lock it up!” But this notion doesn’t seem to register with him. He believes he doesn’t need a lock to be free (or maybe he should use one). As expected, his bicycle gets stolen, leading to troublesome situations.

As mentioned earlier, the scope of the story is contained within the distance the boy can travel on his bicycle. Despite his beloved father being so close physically, the emotional distance between them, as “real parents,” feels infinitely far. Throughout the film, there are scenes of Cyril and Samantha traveling on their bikes. Their relationship mirrors that of a parent and child, and it gives the impression that this new family will surely work out. Cyril expresses himself not so much through words but through actions (often impulsive and involving violence). He doesn’t speak his feelings with words very often. However, in the scenes where he rides his bicycle, he eloquently embodies the feeling of happiness. “The Kid with a Bike” is a poignant yet hopeful work.

🎬CYCLE CINEMA STORAGE🎬
#01 “The Bicycle Thief”
#02 “Project A”
#03 “Shoot for tomorrow!”(origin title “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”)
#04 “The Kid With a Bike (Le gamin au vélo)”
#05 “Izakaya Choji”
#06 “Cinema Paradiso”
#07 “Kids Return”
#08 “PERFECT DAYS”
#09 “Kramer vs. Kramer”
#10 “E.T.”
#11 “Gachi-Boshi”
#12 “Yesterday”
#13 “Wadjda”
#14 “The Zone of Interest”
#15 “Anselm”
#16 “Otoko wa Turai yo”


Text_Hideki Inoue

I am from Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. I work as a writer and editor. My hobbies include hot baths, skiing, and fishing. Although I have no personal connection, I am independently conducting research on Shiga Prefecture. I prefer an active fishing style called “RUN & GUN,” which involves moving around actively instead of staying in one place. I am planning to purchase a car to transport my bicycle to adopt this style, which might seem a bit counterproductive.

Illusutration_Michiharu Saotome

CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #07
“Kids Return”
Keep pedaling towards the darkness ahead.

Director Takeshi Kitano’s works are often associated with yakuza films, perhaps due to the influence of movies like “Violent Cop” and “OUTRAGE.” However, looking at his lineup, it’s evident that he has produced a variety of styles, including “A Scene at the Sea,” “Kikujiro no Natsu,” and “Zatoichi,” amidst his violent works. Director Takeshi Kitano, along with comedian Beat Takeshi, is capable of portraying both tranquility and dynamism, representing two extremes. Among his diverse range of works, “Kids Return” (1996), which focuses on boxing, stands out as a unique piece. Depending on the viewer, generation, and background, the interpretation of the main themes, such as sports films, youth dramas, comedies, tragedies, and yakuza films, can vary significantly.

#Column #Cinema
CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #15
“Anselm”
An Artist Who Explores Giant “Factories” by Bicycle

When you hear the words “painter” or “artist’s studio,” a certain image might come to mind: a chaotic desk cluttered with paintbrushes and tubes of paint, a large window flooding the room with sunlight, perhaps even a beautiful garden beyond. The film Anselm (2023), which depicts the German contemporary art giant Anselm Kiefer, takes the form of a documentary. However, it is directed by Wim Wenders—the renowned filmmaker behind Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire, and Perfect Days. In his hands, the film transcends a mere record of events, becoming a poetic visual experience where fact and fiction intertwine seamlessly. Kiefer is one of Germany’s most prominent […]

#Wim Wenders
CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #03
“Shoot for tomorrow!”(origin title “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”)
Tragic Prelude: Carefree Moments on a Bicycle

Occasionally, we come across wonderful Japanese titles for great movies. For example, “An Officer and A Gentleman” becomes ” A Journey of Love and Youth ” in Japan. It’s filled with youth and love. Don’t you want to watch it? The Japanese title for “THE BODY” is ” Stand by Me “. I’m glad I don’t have to say, “You know, River Phoenix had the potential to become a big star even in the time of ‘THE BODY’.” It’s a great title taken from the iconic song by Ben E. King that’s used in the film.

#Column #Cinema