La Vilanelle des rubans
Jean Epstein, FR 1934Screenplay: Jean Epstein; Cinematography: Joseph Barth; Music: René-Paul Groffe, M. Zimmermann, André Gaudin. DCP (from 35mm), bw, 7 min*
Une visite à l'Ouest Eclair
Jean Epstein, FR 1934Cinematography: Jean Lucas, Georges Lucas. DCP (from 35mm), bw, 16 min**
Chanson d'Ar-Mor
Jean Epstein, FR 1934Screenplay: Jean Epstein, Fañch Gourvil, Jean des Cognets; Cinematography: Jean Lucas, Georges Lucas; Editing: Marthe Poncin; Music: Jacques Larmanjat; Cast: Yvon Le Marc'hadour, Solange Monchâtre, Fañch Gourvil, François Viguier, Georges Prieur, Marinette Fournis. DCP (from 35mm), bw, 43 min.* French with English subtitles
In the summer of 1934, Rennes based regional newspaper l'OuestÉclair commissioned Jean Epstein to direct a short film to introduce the territory of Brittany to the rest of France – Epstein was directly instructed to create a "tourist propaganda film." The result was a tender love letter to Brittany that combined a poetic ethnographic approach with elements of a proper musical, while also telling a fictional story of an impossible romance between an impoverished troubadour/fisherman and daughter of a local nobleman. Chanson d'Ar-Mor became famous as the first Breton language film in history and Epstein was publicly praised by the locals as the first and only filmmaker to truly understand the rugged beauty and the complexities of the region. The two films are preceded by La Vilanelle des rubans, a poetic documentary short about the daily operations of l'Ouest-Éclair that Epstein shot immediately after finishing Chanson d'Ar-Mor. (J.-M.G.)
* Courtesy Cinémathèque française
** Courtesy Cinémathèque de Bretagne
Screening dates:
So 19.10.2025 14:00
download iCal
No reservations accepted for screenings from October 17 to 28; special ticket regulations apply during the Viennale. Tickets are available exclusively at the Viennale box offices, via telephone at 01/526 594 769 or via www.viennale.at.