Top-Tier Alternatives Exploring the Legacy of Iola: Cult Guide

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

Aurélie, the fly, lives in the countryside with her uncle Anatole, the beetle. One day, while stealing honey from the bee, she is surprised by it. Capricorn saves her and they become engaged.

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Love in Black and White perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

The misadventures of a traveling theatrical company, as the actors attempt to put on a show while romantic rivalries erupt backstage.

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A drunken gardener is challenged to a poker match by agents of the Devil; replete with location shots in Hades of the Devil giving orders to his agents on Earth.

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Scarecrow perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

It's the story of Yolande, a little girl (about 12) who wanted to become a princess. Bombastus, her old father, has created a marvelous and big clock crowded with little characters (animated puppets). On each hour ring, one of the twelve knights of the clock comes into motion. They're all in love with the princess but a strong black knight doesn't agree... It's not a happy end. So Yolande will dive deep into her dreams, maybe to change the story. It's the second part of the movie. Sylph, master of this imaginary earth and Ondin, master of the aquatic world are the main characters. Yolande and then the man of her dreams join this strange world...

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

An ant works hard throughout the summer to lay aside enough to last through the winter, while his friend the cicada plays in a band, without a thought for the future. We see the cicada playing at a club filled with other insects, drinking and dancing, while the ant is fending off beetles, and building vast palaces for the colony. The cicada is left in the cold without food, and so, the ant takes him into his home for the long, cold winter.

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of L'horloge magique ou La petite fille qui voulait être princesse perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

The Country Rat visits his friend, the Town Rat, but finds that life in the great metropolis is rather too hectic (and dangerous - there's a live cat among all the puppet rats!)

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

This composite film brings together four films featuring Nina Star, produced between 1921 and 1927 by Wladyslaw and his eldest daughter, Irene Starewitch. Jeanne, the younger daughter of Ladislas and Anna Starewitch embodies Nina Star, the heroine of this program. The films are The Scarecrow (1921), Midnight Wedding (1921), The Voice of the Nightingale (1925), and The Queen of the Butterflies (1927).

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of La Cigale et la Fourmi perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

The frogs are bored with their lot, and ask God to give them a king - but God, irritated with their inability to govern themselves, quickly makes them change their minds.

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A series of three short films by Wladyslaw Starewicz presented together as a feature. Dans les grilles de t'araignée tells the story of a fly, Dame Aurélie, who casts aside her rural life and family for the bright lights of Paris, only to find the big city less welcoming than expected. Les yeux du dragon presents an old Chinese legend, as depicted on a shattered vase shown at the beginning of the film. Finally, Amour noir et blanc sees two mischievous cupids creating havoc, including establishing a love triangle between three performers (whose appearances happen to be based on Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Tom Mix).

Dir: Wladyslaw Starewicz

A little girl tries to help her mother with the aid of an agile monkey.