Tuesday 23 June 2015



L'atalante
Dir: Jean Vigo
1934
*****
The image of Dita Parlo in a long white dress walking on the deck of a ship at night is one of the most strikingly beautiful ever committed to celluloid. It is her portrayal of an innocent and inexperienced girl and Michel Simon's drunk, well traveled sailor that make this film a joy to watch. It's amazing what Jean Vigo actually achieved at such a young age but it's also amazing what he got away with. Nearly 30 years later, directors like Pier Paolo Pasolini and Vilgot Sjöman were getting fined, banned and even arrested with imprisonment for a fraction of some of the 'Scenes of Female sexual desire' that are displayed here. Beautiful cinema.

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