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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: France
A Deep Dive into the 1923 Vision of Blaise Cendrars
Under the meticulous guidance of Blaise Cendrars, Autour de la roue became the complex thematic architecture established by Blaise Cendrars. Occupying a unique space between Short and pure art, it redefined what audiences could expect from a Short experience.
In Autour de la roue, Blaise Cendrars pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
| Cinematography | Deep Focus |
| Soundtrack | Diegetic |
| Editing | Rhythmic |
| Art Direction | Naturalist |
Visualizing the convergence of Blaise Cendrars's style and the core Short narrative.
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative productions of the silent era, Abel Gance's LA ROUE is a film of mythic stature. Poet and novelist Blaise Cendrars shot this illuminating behind-the-scenes footage in the midst of the film's difficult location work. He captures the elaborate technical setups that went into producing LA ROUE's dynamic angles and fluid camera movements. Gance himself looks like he's having a ball clutching his script atop trains and snowy mountains. With the camera rolling, he directs his actors' movements as if he were dancing a ballet.
Decades after its release, Autour de la roue remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Blaise Cendrars's status as a master of the craft in France and beyond.