Javanese Dance (1900)
Directed by Marguerite Vrignault this is an early short film. A French woman does a traditional Javanese dance.
Not really the best to be stealing someone else's culture, who knows if this dancer gets it right or not. No surprise given the era the film is from, still we can do better. The direction is fine.
2/5
Ighigenie en Tauride (1900)
Directed by Marguerite Vrignault this short film stars Jeanne Hatto. A woman sings for the camera.
A mixture of colour tinting and synchronised sound. Here the colour is not as vibrant as in some of the other shorts I have seen from the same director. Pretty impressive for its age.
3/5
Ghost Trail (2024)
Directed co-writer Jonathan Millet this film stars Adam Bessa and Tawfeek Barhom. A man who suffered at the hands of the Assad regime in Syria is part of a group of refugees in Europe hunting war criminals.
Very low key and moody this film does a great job of tackling tough subject matter. The film sensitively handles the character arc of the protagonist to coming to terms with the loss he has suffered. Really well made.
4/5
Danse slave (1900)
Directed by Marguerite Vrignault this is an early short film. A couple dance.
There is a nice back drop to this one and some decent dancing. Well made if not especially complicated. Another decent short from the director.
3/5
Fleur de l'ame (1900)
Directed by Marguerite Vrignault this is an early short film. A woman sings.
Uses both synchronised sound and hand colour tinting to decent effect. Fairly charming short. A decent technical achievement.
3/5
Sylvia (1900)
Directed by Marguerite Vrignault this is an early short film. A woman dances in front of a painted back drop.
A nice little dance with some impressive footwork. Unfortunately the version I saw is very dark making it difficult to pick out all the details. Fine for what it is.
3/5
Danse directoire (1900)
Directed by Marguerite Vrignault and Clement Maurice this is an early short film. Two people in costume dance.
A nicely hand coloured short film. The dancing is about the usual standard for the period. A fun little short.
3/5
