Short Films by Jean Epstein



Throughout his career, Epstein returned to the short film format to explore cinema’s possibilities. In the opening scene of Les bâtisseurs, produced by the Ciné-Liberté group, “two workers perched on the scaffolding of a cathedral re-invent the history of religious architecture from the point of view of the workers, the builders, and the people” (Nicole Brenez). Chanson d’Ar-Mor tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of Breton, its landscape, customs, and culture. With the beautiful film song La chanson des peupliers.

Films in this Screening

La chanson des peupliers

Jean Epstein, France, 1931

FILM DETAILS 
Language
  • French
Print Info
  • B&W
  • 35mm
  • Silent
  • 6 mins
  • Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée

Chanson d'Ar-mor
(Song of Armorica)

Jean Epstein, France, 1934

FILM DETAILS 
Language
  • Breton
  • with English electronic titling
Print Info
  • B&W
  • 35mm
  • 39 mins
source
  • Cinémathèque Française

Les bâtisseurs
(The Builders)

Jean Epstein, France, 1938

FILM DETAILS 
Language
  • French
  • with English electronic titling
Print Info
  • B&W
  • 35mm
  • 50 mins
source
  • Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée