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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: Germany
A Deep Dive into the 1934 Vision of Oskar Fischinger
When we examine the cinematic landscape of Germany, Muratti greift ein emerges as a landmark work of the enduring legacy of Oskar Fischinger's artistic contribution to the genre. Through a lens of existential fatalism and Short tropes, it captures a specific kind of cinematic magic that is rarely replicated.
In Muratti greift ein, Oskar Fischinger 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.
The visual language of Muratti greift ein is defined by its use of shadows and framing, a hallmark of Oskar Fischinger's style. By utilizing a 1934-era palette, the film creates an immersive experience that perfectly complements its Short themes.
| Cinematography | Deep Focus |
| Soundtrack | Experimental |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of Oskar Fischinger's style and the core Short narrative.
Muratti was a German brand of cigarettes. Fischinger transforms bunches of standing cigarettes into things that resemble human beings. At first they walk daintily around packages of Muratti tins. Gradually as the film progresses their motions become more graceful, as they do "slides" and other motions and formations associated with dance. The apotheosis of the film is remarkable: Dozens and dozens of cigarettes, arranged in Busby Berkeley-like fashion, repeatedly bow to the horizon, where a giant sun labeled "Muratti" rises in response to to their worshiping activity.
Decades after its release, Muratti greift ein remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Oskar Fischinger's status as a master of the craft in Germany and beyond.