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[#146902]
Written by: DocFreak08 [21/11/10, 18:03] Action: [ Reply ] [ Quote ] |
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THE MAGNIFICENT TATI, 2009, 60 min. Dir. Michael House. Interesting documentary on Jacques Tati's life and career, including interviews with historians, biographers, his personal assistant and admirers such as Sylvain Chomet and Frank Black from "Pixies" (who, lest anyone doubted his affinity for the man's work, closes out the documentary with his song "Do The Jacques Tati" ). Also examined are Tati's use of sound, his ingenious set-designs for Playtime and his forethought with regards to the international market for his work. Jacques Tati’s magnificent cinema is the subject of Paris-based American filmmaker Michael House’s fine new documentary, the first film in English to explore the life and work of the legendary French director. The film traces the ups and downs of Tati’s remarkable career: his origins as a mime on the musical-hall stages of Paris; his rise to international success as the maker of the Oscar-winning Mon Oncle and other celebrated films; his fall from grace after the commercial failure of Playtime, the ambitious, massively expensive production — still considered by many to be Tati’s greatest achievement — that bankrupted him and effectively derailed his career; and the post-Playtime projects, Traffic and Parade, that were Tati’s swansongs. The wealth of archival material includes clips from Tati’s films and excerpts from television appearances. The eclectic interview subjects include individuals who worked with Tati plus a variety of admirers, including alt-rocker Frank Black, Thumbsucker director Mike Mills, Tati scholar David Bellos (author of Jacques Tati: His Life and Work), and The Triplets of Belleville animator Sylvain Chomet, whose latest project, The Illusionist, is based on an unrealized script by Tati. A director with a simultaneously delightful and critical view of the 20th century bourgeoisie, Jacques Tati is among the most beloved of French filmmakers. Tati's films are a blend of physical comedy reminiscent of silent-era slapstick, riotous sight gags that incorporate hopelessly new-fangled technology, and hilarious send-ups of modern living - not to mention the presence of the lovable, bumbling hero, Mr. Hulot, who graces most of Tati’s films with his charming social ineptitude. From such classics as M. HULOT'S HOLIDAY to PLAYTIME to the seldom-screened PARADE, Tati proves over and over again that he is a master of capturing the playful disconnect between humans and their surroundings. |
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[#146938]
Written by: toodle [22/11/10, 03:45] Action: [ Reply ] [ Quote ] |
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ooooh - I love Tati's films, thanks for this one, can't wait to watch.  |
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