Stop-motion photography blends with extreme slow-motion in Clair's first and most 'dada' film, composed of a series of zany, interconnected scenes. We witness a rooftop chess match between Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray, a hearse pulled by a camel (and chased by its pallbearers) and a dizzying roller coaster finale. A film of contradictions and agreements.
Cinematography
Stop-motion slow-mo that still feels revolutionary.
Direction
Clair orchestrates pure controlled anarchy.
Editing
Rhythmic cuts sync to Satie's piano score.
Director
René Clair
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Francis Picabia literally fired a cannon to start the premiere screening. Dada didn't do subtle.
This was originally the intermission entertainment for Picabia's ballet 'Relâche'—audiences got this instead of a bathroom break. Cruel or kind? You decide.
FR
