Approaching complete abstraction in The Roman Orgy, Louis Feuillade, 1911.
In my alternate-universe film history, Feuillade's Judex takes the place of Griffith's Birth of a Nation and everybody goes home happy.
I'm kidding. Sort of. But man, was Feuillade something else. This is from the Feuillade disc of Kino's wonderful Gaumont box, which is about to make a shut-in out of me.
I really need to get more disposable income...or to upgrade my Netflix account. Or both. It's getting silly just how much great stuff is on DVD.
Posted by: Scott Nye | September 15, 2009 at 05:11 PM
As someone who considers Les Vampires the most entertaining movie ever made, I'm really looking forward to getting this Gaumont box.
Posted by: michaelgsmith | September 15, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Tragic Error is sort of the jewel in that boxed set's crown. Had a chance to see that one yet, Glenn?
Posted by: IV | September 15, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Yes! And Rivette in the 70s and Franju in the 50s and go knows how much beautiful cinema would take its rightful place, if only Feuillade would take over...
I know I've heard these opinions spoken before, can't tell where, but the more they are spoken the better the world (of insular film criiticsm) will be.
Posted by: nrh | September 15, 2009 at 11:14 PM
@ IV: Yes, "Tragic Error" is staggeringly great. Hard to pick just one representative image from it. Also hard to not watch the damn thing over, and over, and over again. Feuillade rules!
Posted by: Glenn Kenny | September 16, 2009 at 12:04 AM