Need help finding non-English film!

A couple of years ago, my mother rented out a dvd from a local library, and as it often happens, turned out to be a different language. I don't remember the language, though it could possibly be German or French. The main things I remember about this film is that it was a cast of kids, possibly an adventure film. I don't think it was set in modern times, as there's one scene where a kid is bathed in a metal bath, possibly during war times. The ending shows someone (Main kid girl, I think) getting sent off. There was possibly something to do with chalk.
Thanks for any help!! This has really been bothering me for ages.