Alain Resnais: Five Short Films

Icarus Films is proud to present five newly restored early short film masterpieces from legendary filmmaker Alain Resnais (1922-2014). Resnais would go on to make his mark in feature films, including the Oscar- nominated Hiroshima Mon Amour, but these early-career shorts demonstrate an already keenly developed eye. The films are a remarkable compendium of the stylistic elements found in his features, and represent an important contribution to the distinguished French documentary tradition. THIS UNIQUE COLLECTION INCLUDES: PAUL GAUGUIN (1949, 13 minutes, © 1949 Les Films de la Pléiade) PAUL GAUGUIN uses the artist's own writings and artwork to trace his creative journey. The film begins with Gauguin losing his job in finance―the catalyst for his commitment to paint every day―and continues through to his final days in Tahiti. VAN GOGH (1948, 18 minutes, © 1948 Les Films Du Pantheon) Winner of the 1950 Academy Awards Best Short Film, this boundary-pushing short brilliantly evokes the life of Vincent Van Gogh, using only his paintings as visuals. GUERNICA (1949, 14 minutes, © 1949 Les Films Du Pantheon) GUERNICA, about the city's horrifying bombing during the Spanish Civil War, features Picasso's paintings, drawings and sculptures. Co-directed with Robert Hessens. ALL THE WORLD'S MEMORY: TOUTE LA MÉMOIRE DU MONDE (1956, 21 minutes, © 1956 Les Films de la Pléiade) ALL THE WORLD'S MEMORY pays homage to the National Library of France and takes us on an impressive and impressionistic tour. It received the Best Picture Award at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival. THE SONG OF STYRENE: LE CHANT DU STYRÈNE (1957, 14 minutes, © 1957 Les Films de la Pléiade) Alain Resnais carries out a poetic investigation into the origins of plastic. It is the perfect example of how to turn a commissioned industrial flm into a lyrical, satirical film masterpiece.