When I was in community college I took an “introduction to film” class. This class was responsible for exposing me to a majority of the great films and directors I admire today. By the time I got to film school I was discovering films on my own. The professors (for the most part) were more interested in pushing their own tastes/agendas on the students and less about deconstructing worthy additions to cinema. One of the exceptions was La Jette.
I didn’t understand this film then and I don’t understand it now, but what I do understand is its incredible power to show us the true essence of cinema. Cinema is about images and relationships and La Jette illustrates that beautifully. The film successfully breaks everything down to the bare essentials and reminds us that an image is worth a thousand words.
It is mesmerizing, poetic and moving.
