The Films of Jean Vigo (L'Atalante, Zero de Conduit, Taris, Nice - À propos de Jean Vigo) (2 disc set) (1931)

Director: Jean Vigo Starring: Michel Simon, Jean Daste, Louis Lefebvre Genres: Silent Origin: France Certificate: M Languages: French Subtitles: English

synopsis

The life of masterful French auteur Jean Vigo was cut tragically short at the age of 29, leaving him with a filmography of only four films. All four of these films are collected here, and together they represent a unique talent the likes of which the world had never seen.

Cutting his teeth on the inventive, satirical À Propos de Nice, Vigo then turned to swimming champion Jean Taris in the experimental Taris, Roi de l'Eau. Vigo's two masterpieces, however, were undoubtedly the comical Zéro de Conduite and the breathatking L'Atalante. Vigo's films were never fully appreciated until well after his death, but now, over seven decades later, Vigo may be celebrated for what he is: a groundbreaking auteur responsible for some of cinema's most beautiful and provocative images.

DVD Special Features:

Audio Commentary on L'Atalante by Dr. Wendy Haslem, Lecturer in Film at the University of Melbourne. Interview with filmmaker Otar Iosseliani Sound Regained: an insight into the audio restoration of Taris, Zéro de Conduit and L'Atalante

"When I entered the theater, I didn't even know who Jean Vigo was. I was immediately overwhelmed with wild enthusiasm for his work." François Truffaut

"Vigo was more than a filmmaker - he was a moment in film history that will never be repeated." SENSES OF CINEMA

"Vigo made only four films in a career cut short by his premature death aged only 29. However, his unique imagery and surreal imagination has ensured that his legend lives on.? CHANNEL 4 FILM