childhood innocence corrupted

His films like *The Conformist* and *1900* explore how childhood experiences and innocence are shaped and corrupted by fascism, war, and ideology.

He persistently reveals the darkness lurking beneath American suburban innocence, particularly in *Eraserhead*, *Blue Velvet*, and *Twin Peaks*, where childhood wonder confronts trauma and evil.

His films *Lacombe Lucien*, *Au revoir les enfants*, and *Pretty Baby* unflinchingly examine how children lose innocence through collaboration with evil, war, and exploitation.