Ballet mécanique (1924)

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, ... See full summary »

Directors:

Fernand Léger, Dudley Murphy (uncredited)

Writer:

Fernand Léger

Stars:

Kiki of Montparnasse, Fernand Léger, Dudley Murphy

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Kiki of Montparnasse	...	Smiling Girl (uncredited)
Fernand Léger	...	(uncredited)
Dudley Murphy	...	(uncredited)
Katherine Murphy	...	(uncredited)
Katrin Murphy	...	Girl with a Flower (uncredited)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to charlie chaplin | abstract film | dada | surrealism | experimental film | 

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Genres:

Short

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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.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Northfork (2003)

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Soundtracks

Ballet Mecanique
by George Antheil

User Reviews

An excellent surrealist short, somewhat ahead of it's time

This excellent surrealist short is a highly imaginative montage of images of people interspersed with machinery. It doesn't have any narrative whatsoever; instead it concentrates on presenting images in a variety of interesting ways. It's more about one central idea – the connection between man and his machines – being expanded on and expressed through an avant-garde art film; in this case via the styles of Surrealism and Dada. The steady pace mimics the mechanised tempo of the machinery depicted in the film. The images themselves are highly imaginative, incorporating a variety of camera trickery and optical illusions, coupled with repeated shots, way before Andy Warhol had similar ideas. It's overall, a very beautiful and compelling presentation. For anybody at all interested in 1920's art films, this is a must. It's well worth 15 minutes of your time.

Details

Official Sites:

DVD

Country:

France

Release Date:

24 September 1924 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Balet mechaniczny

Company Credits

Production Co:

Synchro-Ciné

Technical Specs

Runtime:

19 min 16 min (Kiesler)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1