Jean Epstein or Cinema by Itself (1978)

6.0/10 25 min Documentary

Overview

From the French television series Encyclopédie audiovisuelle du cinéma, the episode uploaded here, Jean Epstein ou le Cinéma pour lui-même, was produced and (I'm pretty certain) directed by Claude-Jean Philippe. There isn't much info out there-- especially not in English-- regarding the series in general (though there is an imdb link for the series as a whole) or the episode devoted to Epstein. Running around 25 minutes, the episode combines lengthy excerpts from Epstein's cinematic canon with the ideas contained in his theoretical texts to uncover the personal and conceptual underpinnings running beneath the work of this most exquisite filmmaker. I treasure this documentary in particular as it contains extensive footage from L'Auberge rouge.

Cast

Jean Epstein

(archival footage)

Recommendations

Naqoyqatsi
A Decade Under the Influence
The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button
As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
Directed by John Ford
Fuck
Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin
McQueen
The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends
The Godfather Family: A Look Inside
The Class of ‘92
The Director and the Jedi
More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me
Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars
John Candy: I Like Me
Room 237
The Skywalker Legacy
Public Speaking
Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner