Le Petit Soldat
Set during the Algerian War,Le Petit Soldatfollows Bruno Forestier, a disillusioned young deserter who becomes involved in the French nationalist movement. He is ordered to kill an Algerian sympathizer, and although he does not hold deep political beliefs, commits the murder and undergoes torture when captured. At the same time, he meets and falls in love with a woman (Anna Karina in her film debut) who he does not know is fighting for the other side. Godard's controversial follow-up toBreathless,Le Petit Soldatwas originally banned from release in France because it refers to the use of torture on both sides, during Algeria's struggle for independence.