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Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1925 Vision of Noel M. Smith
Peeling back the layers of Noel M. Smith's Kicked About exposes the technical innovation that Noel M. Smith introduced to the Short format. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to Short excellence, it stands as the definitive 1925 statement on Short identity.
In Kicked About, Noel M. Smith 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.
To fully appreciate Kicked About, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1925. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Noel M. Smith was at the forefront of this Short movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Noir-Inspired |
| Soundtrack | Diegetic |
| Editing | Rhythmic |
| Art Direction | Naturalist |
Visualizing the convergence of Noel M. Smith's style and the core Short narrative.
Eddie's gang has deprived a fruit dealer of a living and the Judge gives him thirty years in jail, offering him the alternative of becoming a cop and capturing the town's chief desperado. After more bumping around, during the course of which he is kicked out of buildings and hurled through a couple of fences, Eddie "necks" the big boy. He effects the arrest by having him jump through a window into a huge cylindrical bird cage. This he rolls to the police station where he is proclaimed a hero and immediately assigned to the bomb squad.
Decades after its release, Kicked About remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Noel M. Smith's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.