Germany Year Zero is a post-war film directed by Roberto Rossellini, shot in Berlin (1948), which focuses on conveying the reality of Germany after the war through the life of a young boy . Closely Observed Trains, directed by Jiri Menzel (1966), is based on the novel written by Bohumil Hrabal and illustrates the coming of age from a boy to a man. While both films illustrate different aspects of life, they also connect in key aspects such as the fact that both boys succumb to becoming men, one due to events beyond his control and the other by choice. This essay will analyze both avant-garde films regarding their innocence in relation to others, the naivety of both characters, the value for life and responsibility. In both films there is a display of innocence in relation to key characters. German expressionist cinema in Germany Year Zero focuses on Edmund, a boy who has taken on the responsibility of taking care of his family. It becomes apparent through the severity of the destruction that Edmund's innocence has been stolen from him and he is forced to become an adult as a result. The casting of the character equates to the general labeling of a young carefree boy with Edmund representing the youth of this period. He is seen as a pure being, fitting the Nazi ideology of blond hair and blue eyes. His teacher, father, sister, and brother all project an image onto Edmund as innocent and untouched by what is happening around him. Throughout the film we see the effects that the war has on Edmund's life. The lights on Edmund emphasize the angelic personality. As the film progresses, the light transposition becomes dark, which mimics his loss of innocence and childhood. However, this is also seen regarding the…center of the paper…place the bomb, this representation of camaraderie, which is ironic since it was also an element of Nazi ideology. Eva represents the many who after the war had to take responsibility for their brothers and family. The responsibility has been placed on the children of war to pick up the pieces and mess left behind. In conclusion, the role of children in both of these films plays an important role in how the films are portrayed. Both boys have a lost innocence and naivety about the world, and their perception of life and values ​​is very similar. Representing the youth of the time and the situations they found themselves in, by using children as the main characters, both filmmakers managed to portray the struggle for generations after the war and the constant pressure to live up to demands and perceptions of the company. , trying to face reality.