Documentary footage of the author and his two daughters at home.
Between 1950 and 1955, Henri Langlois tried to produce, on behalf of the Cinémathèque française, several films devoted to great artists, with their cooperation, by entrusting them with virgin film stock. Wrote Langlois on the unfinished project, epic in scope: "We had the idea of asking poets, painters, scholars, writers and even repressed filmmakers [...] to make films in 16mm, with the means at hand, without taking into account any commercial concern or censorship." What precious little came of the project was eight minutes of film from Matisse and twenty-some from Marc Chagall, released at a later date.
"[Hutton’s] latest urban film, New York Portrait, Chapter III, takes on a unique tone in relation to Hutton’s ongoing exploration of rural landscape. The very fact that Hutton is dealing with older footage, with archives of memory more than immediacy, gives it a different texture than his earlier New York films. Hutton always found the presence of nature in the city, not only in his many shots of sky and vegetation, but also in the geometry and texture of the city itself, which seemed to project an independence from the human." (Tom Gunning)
Jean Painlevé is interested here, with the help of Eli Lotar, in crabs and shrimps. He is particularly interested in detailing their anatomy and observing their mating and fighting behavior.
Silent documentary directed by Walter Fischer
A documentary from Erkki Karu, one of the earliest pioneers of Finnish cinema: This government-produced propaganda film introduces the nature, sports, military, agriculture and capital of Finland.
A BFI collection of 7 short films from the USA, England and Italy scored for Piano, Guitar and String Quartet.
Silent film showcasing hypnosis and its effects.
Elaborate floats and costumes parading the streets of Nice.
A steamboat coming to port.
Teasing tigers with meat.
The parade occupies only a small portion of the screen, the crowds are a seething mass that do really move and the Independence Bell is nowhere to be seen.
Lumière Brothers film automobiles driving at the Champs-Elysées.
A view of the entrance to the Stockholmsutställlningen, the World Exhibition in Stockholm.
A variation on the popular Butterfly Dance, released in hand-colored and stenciled versions. The film has the catalogue number 2011 and was likely shot in 1897 but not screened in France until the 10th of December 1899.
One minute film of Buffalo Bill's famous show.
A large ship embarking.
Panorama film shot floating down the Seine.
A view of the Ferris wheel from the Chicago Exposition of 1893, turning slowly.
This one is modelled on the painting by Paul Delaroche and is an extension of the stage act known as “tableau vivant”.