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6.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Harlekin remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have ten minutes and you're tired of movies that scream at you, yes. It's perfect for people who like art history or just want to see something quiet. If you need explosions or a plot with twenty twists, you'll probably check your phone halfway through.
There is something incredibly honest about the way these paper figures move. Lotte Reiniger didn't have high-end software to make things smooth. You can see the edges of the cutouts. Sometimes they jitter just a little bit, and that little imperfection is exactly why I like it.
The whole thing feels like a dream you'd have after listening to too much Bach. The way the silhouettes dance against the background is hypnotic. It’s not trying to be a The Dawn Patrol style epic. It just wants to exist.
It’s not as chaotic as The Newlyweds' Troubles, obviously. It doesn't have that frantic energy. Instead, it feels like it's holding its breath.
I found myself thinking about how much work went into each tiny adjustment of these figures. It’s a labor of love that makes you feel a bit guilty for how fast we consume stuff these days. You just sit there and watch a shadow fall in love with another shadow. Simple.
Maybe it’s too delicate for some tastes. But I think we need more stuff like this. No dialogue. No massive stakes. Just a dance. 🎭