Vive la vie

Jean Epstein & Jean Benoit-Levy, FR 1938
Screenplay: Marie Epstein, Jean Benoit-Levy, Jean Epstein; Cinematography: Jean Lucas, Georges Lucas, Philippe Agostini; Music: Jean Wiener. DCP (from 35mm), bw, 32 min. French with English subtitles

Artères de France

Jean Epstein & René Lucot, FR 1939
Screenplay: Henri Champly; Cinematography: Georges Lucas, Jean Lucas; Music: Henri Casadesus. DCP (from 35mm), bw, 22 min. French with English subtitles

Two collaborative documentary commissions – a treat for Jean Epstein completists! Vive la vie was commissioned by the then-newly created Secretariat for Leisure and Sports and depicts the "Ajiste" movement (Youth Association for Sports and Leisure), while Artères de France explores France's transportation routes. It was commissioned by the Ministry of Commerce to be presented at the New York World's Fair. From January to March 1939, Epstein, accompanied by his assistant René Lucot, travelled more than 10,000 km by car to film France's major road, rail and river transport hubs. He also filmed several people, including his friend, the painter Fernand Léger, surrounded by his students. A print of the 35mm film was struck by Marie Epstein in 1980 and then forgotten. It was digitised by the Cinémathèque Française in 2020. (J.D.)

Courtesy Cinémathèque française

Screening dates:

Do 23.10.2025 11:00

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.