Marius et Olive à Paris

MARIUS ET OLIVE À PARIS squarely belongs to the purely commercial segment of Jean Epstein’s career, but it’s also somewhat of an anomaly, this being his only proper, full-blown comedy, depicting the adventures of a Marseille couple in Paris. Epstein was reportedly unhappy with the film and only directed it so that he would be able to finance his other, more intimate cinematic pursuits, but unfortunately the film was neither a financial nor critical success and remains today largely forgotten. Regardless of this, a benevolent eye can choose to see MARIUS ET OLIVE À PARIS as a poignant example of Epstein’s “rural sensibilities” trying to make sense of an urban setting, a funny yet primarily lyrical exploration of love and longing in the bustling streets of Paris, where provincial romance is tested by the rhythms and illusions of modernity. Despite operating on a form of autopilot, Epstein manages to capture fleeting expressions and atmospheric details of the grand city with his usual probing eye, evoking both the intimacy and alienation of city life. Epstein’s use of sound here remains somewhat primitive, but it nevertheless becomes a key expressive tool, not merely to convey dialogue but also to heighten emotional texture of this brief feature.  (Jean-Michel Gentile)

All retrospective films that will be shown at the Filmmuseum after the Viennale - from 29.10. - can of course also be reserved as usual at filmmuseum.at or by calling 01/533 70 54 and purchased at the box office of the Austrian Film Museum. The prices of the Austrian Film Museum apply.