Saturday,
May 14 at 7:30pm
Directors
In Focus: Jean Vigo
 To
mark the centenary of the birth of Jean Vigo (1905–1934), we
present the auteur’s complete works over the course of a single
evening. Although Vigo made only four films before his untimely
death at age twenty-nine, all are masterpieces—poetic, anarchic,
violent, dream-like—and among the seminal works of the French
cinema.
A
propos de Nice
dir.
Jean Vigo, France, 1930, 16mm, 23 mins,
b/w
This
chronicle of Nice at carnival time takes a candid look at societal
divisions between the rich who relax on the beach and the poor
who are not afforded any leisure time. A vividly imaginative
attempt at capturing the variety and style of life in southern
France through a rapid montage of silent images.
Taris
dir.
Jean Vigo, France, 1931, 16mm, 9 mins, b/w
This
technically complex work made with the champion swimmer Jean
Taris emphasizes body movement and was called an “aquatic ballet”
by Vigo ’s contemporary, Jean Cocteau.
Zéro
de conduite
dir.
Jean Vigo, France, 1933, 16mm, 41 mins,
b/w, French w/ English subtitles
This
beautiful film, full of vivid character and humor, depicts in
a marvelous visual language, life at a boarding school where
the boys are always up for pranks and have plans for a real
rebellion.
Followed
at 9:00pm by
L’Atalante
dir.
Jean Vigo, France, 1934, 35mm, 89 mins, b/w, French w/ English
subtitles
Concerned
with characters marginalized by society, Vigo’s poetic yet realistic
film locates the stable, loving life Juliette is looking for
in Jean and his boat, but still permits the very human temptations
of the big city.
$6.00;
$5.00 members, students and seniors. Available one hour before
showtime at the Box Office.
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