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Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:30 pm
by Uli Ruedel

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:00 pm
by Jeffrey Nelson
Nevuh hoida dis guy. What's the story?

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:19 pm
by Richard Warner
Jeffrey Nelson wrote:Nevuh hoida dis guy. What's the story?


I can't tell you anything about Etaix, but I did see one of his shorts, RUPTURE, at London's National Film Theatre back in the 1970s, showing in support of a Marx Bros film. It had that Marxian audience - me included - almost helpless with laughter. All I can remember now is that Etaix had been jilted by his girl and decided to end it all. There were some hilarious attempts to write a farewell note with a non-functioning pen and a great final gag, which I won't repeat here. On the basis of that one film, I'd say he was a cross between Tati and Keaton. I've wanted to see more of him ever since and really hope that his films will get a DVD release. I dimly recall reading that his later features weren't up to the standard of his early shorts, but if they're only half as good as RUPTURE, they should be a treat!
Richard Warner

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:55 pm
by Uli Ruedel
Richard, my understanding is that Etaix' films are indeed planned for theatrical re-release as well as DVDs, so, although possibly sans English subs, there might be an opportunity to revisit his films soon. Having missed the couple that screened in the first days of this year's Cinema Ritrovato, but curious becaue of the restoration and renewed attention, I revisited his two shorts on an old VHS, and they are truly works of a comic genius. Small wonder you can still recall the marvelous RUPTURE after decades!

Arte currently has a short video piece up on the restoration / re-release, but I suspect Etaix' rhythym doesn't translate well into such brief excerpts as included here: http://videos.arte.tv/de/videos/pierre_etaix-3306620.html

The link I posted earlier offers plenty of additional information, of course, including a pdf version of the extensive, bilingual restoration booklet...

Uli

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:27 pm
by Ben Model
I saw "Heureux Anniversaire" in film school and always remembered it, and picked up a print on eBay several years ago. I posted it on YouTube a few months back --




Ben

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored...

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:52 pm
by Uli Ruedel

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:00 am
by Uli Ruedel

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:55 am
by David Kalat

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 7:51 am
by Richard Warner
David, many thanks for that great article. I'm hoping that someone will release a Pierre Etaix set in the UK - maybe Masters of Cinema or the BFI. I was sorely tempted to buy the French release, but held off because of the lack of English titles and the rudimentary nature of my schoolboy French. If we don't get a UK release, I'll definitely buy the Criterion set.
Richard

Re: Complete films of Pierre Etaix restored

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 7:59 am
by Uli Ruedel
For those in L.A., Leonard Maltin (who likened the Etaix renaissance to first discovering Lloyd or Keaton) presents Pierre Etaix on November 16, 2011:
http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2011/11/etaix.html

Uli