A pulsing, kaleidoscope of images set to an energetic soundtrack. A young women swings in a garden; a woman's face smiles. The rest is spinning cylinders, pistons, gears and turbines, ...
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Title: Ballet mécanique (1924)
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Cast
| Uncredited cast: | |||
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Kiki of Montparnasse | ... | Smiling girl (uncredited) |
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Fernand Léger | ... | (uncredited) |
| Dudley Murphy | ... | (uncredited) | |
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Katherine Murphy | ... | (uncredited) |
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Katrin Murphy | ... | Girl with a flower (uncredited) |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A pulsing, kaleidoscope of images set to an energetic soundtrack. A young women swings in a garden; a woman's face smiles. The rest is spinning cylinders, pistons, gears and turbines, kitchen objects in concentric circles or rows - pots, pan lids, and funnels, cars passing overhead, a spinning carnival ride. Over and over, a heavy-set woman climbs stairs carrying a large bag on her shoulder. An Art Deco cartoon figure appears, dancing. This is a world in motion, dominated by mechanical and repetitive images, with a few moments of solitude in a garden. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Plot Keywords:
reference to charlie chaplin | abstract film | dada | surrealism | experimental film |Genres:
ShortParents Guide:
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Details
Country:
FranceRelease Date:
24 September 1924 (Austria) See more »Also Known As:
Balet mechaniczny See more »Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (Kiesler)Sound Mix:
SilentColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
George Antheil was largely supported by the American expatriate writer and publisher Robert McAlmon while he composed the "Ballet Mecanique." McAlmon also provided the piano. See more »Alternate Versions
There are various existing versions of this film. However, the one thought to be closest to the version premiered in Vienna in 1924 is a print found in 1975 by Lillian Kiesler, widow of Frederick Kiesler, who arranged the premiere. This version has been preserved by Anthology Film Archives of New York. See more »Connections
Referenced in Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet Mécanique (2003) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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I would not recommend this film to anyone not interested in the cubist painter Leger, or in the dada and surrealist films of the 1920s. Fascinating for its primitive use of montage and eye-line match, the film is just an experiment with different rhythms and images. Your experience may differ grandly depending on the soundtrack that accompanies it. Most videotapes produced of the film have dinky little organ melodies that really take away from the ballet-like beauty of movement that Leger was going for. In the end, the film's value lies in its historical and fine art historical importance.