Director Christophe Barratier adapts author Louis Pergaud's novel set in the French countryside during World War II, which follows the escalating feud between two groups of youths from rival villages who seek to collect each other's buttons. The children of Longeverne have never liked their peers in the neighboring village of Velran, and as war rages throughout Europe, tensions among the youths spike. But rather than using bullets and guns to defeat their opponents, the children create an innovative new means of achieving victory: Upon capturing one of their adversaries, the conquerors claim the buttons right off of his clothes. At the end of the war, whichever team possesses the most buttons will be the undisputed winner. As a result, 13-year-old Longeverne leader Lebrac and his loyal young army wage a relentless campaign to claim every button from their enemies in Velran. Meanwhile, a pretty young Jewish girl named Violette arrives in Longeverne from the city. For Violette, hiding out with her enchanting aunt Simone is a matter of life or death. And the more time Violette spends in Longeverne, the closer she grows to Lebrac. Before long, it becomes apparent to Lebrac that there's much more at stake in this battle than the buttons on his rivals' jackets. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Set in France during WWII, WAR OF THE BUTTONS tells the tale of two rival groups of kids from neighboring villages. Pre-teen rebel Lebrac (Jean Texier) leads a spirited group of kids in a pint-sized ''war'' where the victory comes from capturing the enemies' buttons, belts, and laces -- forcing them to return home ragged to face their mothers' reprimand. When Violette (Ilona Bachelier), a young Jewish girl, comes to town to hide from the Nazis, Lebrac befriends her and the children put their own conflicts aside to protect their new friend from the very real war happening around them. Directed by Academy Award nominee Christophe Barratier (The Chorus, Original Song) and produced and co-written by Thomas Langmann (Academy Award winner for The Artist, Best Picture).