Chris Marker’s iconic science fiction short, the direct inspiration for Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys but the indirect inspiration for countless other films – with time travel as the subject matter, and far beyond that simple box – turns 50 today. We are on the edge of the release of Rian Johnson’s Looper (Kurt’s Review), and it’s always worth a look back on this incredible classic.
Here’s A.O. Scott on the subject.
But I will do you one better. Here is the film in its entirety:
I still cannot believe Jay Cheel described this short film as being “pretentious”; there is nothing pretentious about the film.
I’d say ponderous. But then again, the story comes together so damn well in the end. It’s 28 minutes well, well, well spent.
It’s French, it is inherently pretentious.