FRENCH IMPRESSIONISM
Key dates: 1918-1930
Key filmmakers: Abel Gance, Louis Delluc, Germaine Dulac, Marcel L'Herbier, Jean Epstein
What to watch: The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928), Napolèon (1927) Fievre (1921), The Smiling Madame Beudet (1923) and The Faithful Heart (1923).
What is it ?
French Impressionism in film was a cinematic movement that emerged in France during the 1920s. It was characterized by its emphasis on subjective experience, use of unconventional film techniques, and exploration of the boundaries between reality and imagination. The movement was heavily influenced by the avant-garde art movements of the time, such as Surrealism and Cubism that originated in the late 19th century in painting.
French Impressionist filmmakers sought to break away from traditional narrative cinema, and instead, focused on the emotions, sensations, and subjective experiences of characters. They often employed experimental techniques such as superimposition, slow motion, and unconventional camera angles to create dreamlike, abstract, and poetic images.
The movement was marked by the works of several prominent filmmakers, including Jean Epstein, Germaine Dulac, and Abel Gance. Epstein's films, such as "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1928), used techniques such as slow motion and superimposition to create a sense of timelessness and otherworldliness. Dulac's films, such as "The Seashell and the Clergyman" (1928), explored the inner world of the characters through surreal imagery and fragmentation of narrative. Gance's films, such as "Napoleon" (1927), utilized innovative techniques such as rapid cutting and handheld camera movements to create a sense of urgency and dynamism.
Some of the most famous French Impressionist films include "La Coquille et le Clergyman" (The Seashell and the Clergyman) by Germaine Dulac, "La Chute de la Maison Usher" (The Fall of the House of Usher) by Jean Epstein, and "Napoléon" by Abel Gance.
The French Impressionist movement was short-lived, but it had a significant influence on subsequent film movements such as the Surrealist movement and the French New Wave. Today, French Impressionist films are celebrated for their visual beauty and their groundbreaking contributions to the art of cinema.
Peoples thought on it :
- Alfred Hitchcock: Hitchcock, the master of suspense, was greatly influenced by the French Impressionism movement. He admired the movement's focus on subjective experience, and the use of unconventional film techniques to create a dreamlike atmosphere. He also praised the movement's use of editing to create tension and emotion.
- Federico Fellini: Fellini was also influenced by French Impressionism, particularly the work of Jean Epstein. He appreciated the movement's exploration of the boundaries between reality and imagination, and the way it used imagery to evoke emotion.
- Jean-Luc Godard: Godard was both influenced by and critical of the French Impressionism movement. He admired the movement's focus on subjective experience and experimentation, but also felt that it was too concerned with formalism and not concerned enough with political and social issues.
- Martin Scorsese: Scorsese has been a lifelong fan of French cinema, and has often cited the French Impressionism movement as a major influence on his work. He appreciates the movement's use of editing and visual style to create emotion and atmosphere.
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