L'Illusioniste, par Sylvian Chomet
June 16, 2010 6:38 AM Subscribe
L'Illusionniste is a new animated film by Sylvian Chomet, director of Belleville Rendezvous (Les Triplettes de Belleville). It opens in France today (16th), and hopefully around the world later this year. Ebert enjoyed it when he saw it at Cannes.
It's based on a story origianlly written by Jacques Tati, and it looks very good. You can see the trailer on the original site, or here, on YouTube.
How can you go wrong with a plump rabbit running amok and a guy in a kilt in a stiff breeze (not in the same scene, but still)?
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:46 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:46 AM on June 16, 2010
Oh, and... the trailer looks great.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:48 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:48 AM on June 16, 2010
I saw Belleville and found myself completely emotionally unengaged with any of the characters except Grandma and the dog. Especially the cyclists. They all seemed miserable and depressed and all sported this grim, unhappy look of "PLEASE... sell me off to a salt mine." I couldn't understand why Grandma was going to such great lengths to get her racer back. Almost forgot it was her son.
I took away from this film the messages that:
-Americans are enormously fat
-Bicycle racing kills the soul and leaves you with those cold, dead eyes of a zombie.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 6:53 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I took away from this film the messages that:
-Americans are enormously fat
-Bicycle racing kills the soul and leaves you with those cold, dead eyes of a zombie.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 6:53 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
The very idea of a new Tati film makes me excited beyond words, especially one which appears to get his whimsical, sweetly wry tone right. Some of the visual gags in the trailer (especially the headlights/motorcycles one) is vintage Tati.
posted by Bromius at 6:53 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Bromius at 6:53 AM on June 16, 2010
ouch, from the trailer I already know it will break my heart to see this movie
posted by infini at 7:00 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by infini at 7:00 AM on June 16, 2010
I'm not really a fan of Sylvian Chomet. His work is an odd combination of cutesy and grim.
I am, however, a huge fan of Tati. Mon Oncle is just amazing. Just watch the opening scene with the dogs, which sets the pace for the entire film. Tati was a director too, not just a screenwriter.
So, I'll wait and see I guess.
posted by vacapinta at 7:08 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I am, however, a huge fan of Tati. Mon Oncle is just amazing. Just watch the opening scene with the dogs, which sets the pace for the entire film. Tati was a director too, not just a screenwriter.
So, I'll wait and see I guess.
posted by vacapinta at 7:08 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
This sounds wonderful: it's been a while since I heard of a film I was so eager to see.
posted by Phanx at 7:10 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Phanx at 7:10 AM on June 16, 2010
I took away from this film the messages that:
-Americans are enormously fat
Well, there you go! The film had educational value, then!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:10 AM on June 16, 2010
-Americans are enormously fat
Well, there you go! The film had educational value, then!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:10 AM on June 16, 2010
I think the thing I liked most about Belleville Rendezvous was the three old sisters band. I mean, they played a vacuum cleaner, refrigerator shelves and a crumpled newspaper-as-percussion, and all in a 3-against-4, Africanesque rhythmic vibe. I mean, jeebus, it sounded so much like something I'd do it was scary.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:20 AM on June 16, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:20 AM on June 16, 2010 [3 favorites]
Yes, yes, PLEASE. Belleville Rendezvous was one of the best animated films I've seen in the past couple of decades.
I'm not really a fan of Sylvian Chomet. His work is an odd combination of cutesy and grim.
See, I think this is exactly what I find so enjoyable about his work. It's like an animated version of Jean-Pierre Jeunet or something.
posted by 40 Watt at 7:25 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm not really a fan of Sylvian Chomet. His work is an odd combination of cutesy and grim.
See, I think this is exactly what I find so enjoyable about his work. It's like an animated version of Jean-Pierre Jeunet or something.
posted by 40 Watt at 7:25 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I had a mixed reaction to Triplets. In many ways it was obviously a great film; the animation was first-rate. And I loved, loved, loved the scene where the old women started all singing together again. That was worth the rental all by itself.
But the film as a whole left me kind of uncomfortable. The visual language was very strange; I chalked that up to being French, and likely coming from different film conventions. But there was hardly anyone in the movie I really liked. Everyone seemed so self-absorbed and dreary. And the story was just bizarre, and not in a good way. It had flashes of brilliance, but only flashes. Most of it was a bit of a slog to get through.
So my enthusiasm for this one is fairly muted. I thought enough of Triplets to give it a chance if it comes to a theater around here, but I'm honestly not sure I'll enjoy it.
posted by Malor at 7:32 AM on June 16, 2010
But the film as a whole left me kind of uncomfortable. The visual language was very strange; I chalked that up to being French, and likely coming from different film conventions. But there was hardly anyone in the movie I really liked. Everyone seemed so self-absorbed and dreary. And the story was just bizarre, and not in a good way. It had flashes of brilliance, but only flashes. Most of it was a bit of a slog to get through.
So my enthusiasm for this one is fairly muted. I thought enough of Triplets to give it a chance if it comes to a theater around here, but I'm honestly not sure I'll enjoy it.
posted by Malor at 7:32 AM on June 16, 2010
This is playing at the Edinburgh Film Festival tonight. I'm tempted, but skint.
posted by Happy Dave at 7:36 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Happy Dave at 7:36 AM on June 16, 2010
Ok, I just watched the trailer, and changed my mind. I'll definitely catch that if I possibly can. The animation is amazing, and I really like the tone.
posted by Malor at 7:37 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Malor at 7:37 AM on June 16, 2010
Oh, this makes me very happy! Every time I see Belleville I'm always saying to myself "How did a film with all of this wonderful style, atmosphere, and weirdness ever get made?"
posted by usonian at 7:38 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by usonian at 7:38 AM on June 16, 2010
(A minor aside, but it's interesting that the US got the more literally translated title. Here it was known as The Triplets Of Belleville, not Belleville Rendevous.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 7:38 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Ian A.T. at 7:38 AM on June 16, 2010
I rather like Sylvain Chomet, but I utterly loathe Jacques Tati. I will never get the hours of life back I spent sitting through "Playtime".
(Perhaps it is only possible for any given person to like one of the other, and this new film will cause the entire universe to explode in a filmic matter/antimatter collision.)
posted by kyrademon at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2010
(Perhaps it is only possible for any given person to like one of the other, and this new film will cause the entire universe to explode in a filmic matter/antimatter collision.)
posted by kyrademon at 7:44 AM on June 16, 2010
I'm not really a fan of Sylvian Chomet. His work is an odd combination of cutesy and grim.
Exactly.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 7:49 AM on June 16, 2010
Exactly.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 7:49 AM on June 16, 2010
MetaFilter: kills the soul and leaves you with those cold, dead eyes of a zombie.
MetaFilter: I'm honestly not sure I'll enjoy it.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Remember to tip your server.
Mr. hippybear is quite enthused by this movie, actually. He's been going on and on about it in fits and starts for at least 6 months now, and when TCM did a Tati night recently he DVRed several of the movies for repeate viewing. I'll probably see it, maybe even in a theater, because he's so gung ho about it. (We never go to the movie theater anymore -- maybe 2-3 times a year, tops.)
Triplets was an interesting film. I, too, chalk a certain amount of my non-connection with it to its "frenchness", whatever that may mean. But I enjoyed it, and look forward to this new release.
posted by hippybear at 7:50 AM on June 16, 2010
MetaFilter: I'm honestly not sure I'll enjoy it.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Remember to tip your server.
Mr. hippybear is quite enthused by this movie, actually. He's been going on and on about it in fits and starts for at least 6 months now, and when TCM did a Tati night recently he DVRed several of the movies for repeate viewing. I'll probably see it, maybe even in a theater, because he's so gung ho about it. (We never go to the movie theater anymore -- maybe 2-3 times a year, tops.)
Triplets was an interesting film. I, too, chalk a certain amount of my non-connection with it to its "frenchness", whatever that may mean. But I enjoyed it, and look forward to this new release.
posted by hippybear at 7:50 AM on June 16, 2010
One thing to note about this film (and the reason it's playing at the EIFF tonight) is that it was largely produced in Scotland, in two studios, one in Dundee and one in Edinburgh.
From the trailer, I can't wait to see it, it's rare that Edinburgh is captured in animation, let alone hand-painted, stunning animation of the kind that Tati does.
posted by Happy Dave at 8:01 AM on June 16, 2010
From the trailer, I can't wait to see it, it's rare that Edinburgh is captured in animation, let alone hand-painted, stunning animation of the kind that Tati does.
posted by Happy Dave at 8:01 AM on June 16, 2010
I can't view the trailer right now, but this is very exciting news. I think Belleville was a strange and wonderful movie, and I think Tati was a genius.
posted by OmieWise at 8:19 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by OmieWise at 8:19 AM on June 16, 2010
Lovely surprise for me. Like Chomet, love Edinburgh. Hooray!
posted by aesop at 8:19 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by aesop at 8:19 AM on June 16, 2010
I have no idea why this thread makes me want to suggest a MeFi trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
posted by infini at 8:20 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by infini at 8:20 AM on June 16, 2010
I have no idea why this thread makes me want to suggest a MeFi trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Because that's a faaaaabulous idea?
Just to note, this film is part of the Film Festival, on now, not the Fringe which starts in July.
posted by Happy Dave at 8:40 AM on June 16, 2010
YAY! This has made my whole week!
And I can't even go to any of the links you've included, because of being at work, grrr! But Triplettes of Belleville is one of my all time favorite movies. I bought copies for all my family, and I bought copies of the soundtrack for my whole family, and I've pestered friends to get them to watch it.
I'm so excited to hear he's made another movie that I may have to excuse myself for a minute to go clean myself up...
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:40 AM on June 16, 2010
And I can't even go to any of the links you've included, because of being at work, grrr! But Triplettes of Belleville is one of my all time favorite movies. I bought copies for all my family, and I bought copies of the soundtrack for my whole family, and I've pestered friends to get them to watch it.
I'm so excited to hear he's made another movie that I may have to excuse myself for a minute to go clean myself up...
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:40 AM on June 16, 2010
I've seen TRIPLETS three, maybe four times -- I simply love it. Very much looking forward to this new one. Saw the trailer a few weeks ago and was instantly captivated.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:03 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:03 AM on June 16, 2010
After Ebert's blog post about the film, Tati's grandson wrote and asked, "Before participating further in any active promotion of Chomet's adaptation of Tati's l'Illusionniste we would appreciate that you first consider how his interpretation greatly undermines both the artistry of my grandfather's original script whilst shamefully ignoring the deeply troubled personal story that lies at its heart."
posted by sldownard at 9:09 AM on June 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by sldownard at 9:09 AM on June 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
The Triplets work their musical magic here. (groove action starts with a newspaper solo at 1:33)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:12 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:12 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh I say, lets do the Fringe Festival then - even if this movie isn't playing
posted by infini at 9:15 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by infini at 9:15 AM on June 16, 2010
After Ebert's blog post about the film, Tati's grandson wrote and asked
Yeah, I thought I recalled reading something about some conflict with Tati's family over the film.
posted by anazgnos at 9:40 AM on June 16, 2010
Yeah, I thought I recalled reading something about some conflict with Tati's family over the film.
posted by anazgnos at 9:40 AM on June 16, 2010
Perhaps it is only possible for any given person to like one of the other
No, I love Belleville and Playtime is one of my favourite films of all time. Definitely a specific taste, for sure, but watching a Tati film in a cinema full of people who like such things (as I did, the first time I saw Playtime, nearly thirty years ago, my God!) is pure, unalloyed joy, and I'm very much looking forward to this.
posted by Grangousier at 10:06 AM on June 16, 2010
No, I love Belleville and Playtime is one of my favourite films of all time. Definitely a specific taste, for sure, but watching a Tati film in a cinema full of people who like such things (as I did, the first time I saw Playtime, nearly thirty years ago, my God!) is pure, unalloyed joy, and I'm very much looking forward to this.
posted by Grangousier at 10:06 AM on June 16, 2010
After Ebert's blog post about the film, Tati's grandson wrote and asked...
I'm unpersuaded by the grandson's story. The story is undeniably heart-wrenching, but there is nothing in it that convinces me that Chomet shouldn't have made the film, or that others should not go to see it. The grandson's story is essentially a personal matter, and beside the point. I don't think it matters why Tati purportedly wrote the screenplay, or how he wronged his daughter and her family.
posted by OmieWise at 10:10 AM on June 16, 2010
I'm unpersuaded by the grandson's story. The story is undeniably heart-wrenching, but there is nothing in it that convinces me that Chomet shouldn't have made the film, or that others should not go to see it. The grandson's story is essentially a personal matter, and beside the point. I don't think it matters why Tati purportedly wrote the screenplay, or how he wronged his daughter and her family.
posted by OmieWise at 10:10 AM on June 16, 2010
Meh. The movie is never as good as the book, and the film isn't the author's work, but the director's. If Neil Gaiman, the writer, had to sit on a stool in a cold muddy corner while his input was generally ignored when they filmed Neverwhere - and this was his script, the novel came later - the son of the writer does not get a voice int the direction of the film, except to say "Meh. The movie is never as good as the book."
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:16 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:16 AM on June 16, 2010
I utterly loathe Jacques Tati.
I keep reading this sentence, but I can't make sense of it.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:00 AM on June 16, 2010 [3 favorites]
I keep reading this sentence, but I can't make sense of it.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:00 AM on June 16, 2010 [3 favorites]
Triplets is one of my all-time favorite animated features and its grotesque charm is partly why I like it so much. Not even the dog gets to be cute and cuddly, its jowls flapping disturbingly as it howls at the passing train, but for some reason it's still charismatic. It acts like a real dog and you can't help but like it. The heart of the film lies in the scene when the grandmother encounters the Triplets in a junkyard under an urban bridge and they improvise their instruments from the debris. The grandmother eventually joins in as well. There is joy in that scene, there is joy in creation, there is joy in oddity, there is joy in syncopated rhythm, and I love it. To be fair the film has its share of misses, but when it hits, it hits.
I can't wait to see Chomet's interpretation of Tati.
posted by Spatch at 11:47 PM on June 16, 2010
I can't wait to see Chomet's interpretation of Tati.
posted by Spatch at 11:47 PM on June 16, 2010
I'm glad so many of you are looking forward to the film!
Here's a review from last night's showing in Edinburgh.
Still no confirmed dates for general release outside France, as far as I know. I'm very tempted to jump on the Eurostar to see it.
posted by DanCall at 1:34 AM on June 17, 2010
Here's a review from last night's showing in Edinburgh.
Still no confirmed dates for general release outside France, as far as I know. I'm very tempted to jump on the Eurostar to see it.
posted by DanCall at 1:34 AM on June 17, 2010
Still no confirmed dates for general release outside France, as far as I know. I'm very tempted to jump on the Eurostar to see it.
Oh man, considering that my wife and I both live in Edinburgh, love Chomet's films and are massive Francophiles, I think I just figured out what our next trip away is going to be.
posted by Happy Dave at 3:52 AM on June 17, 2010
Oh man, considering that my wife and I both live in Edinburgh, love Chomet's films and are massive Francophiles, I think I just figured out what our next trip away is going to be.
posted by Happy Dave at 3:52 AM on June 17, 2010
This website says it goes on general release in August. Search for 'Illusionist' in the 'Release Schedule' form.
posted by Happy Dave at 4:32 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Happy Dave at 4:32 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Thanks for that clip, flapjax. I love that waiter.
Now I wanna see the movie again!
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 1:46 PM on June 17, 2010
Now I wanna see the movie again!
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 1:46 PM on June 17, 2010
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posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:45 AM on June 16, 2010