This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(October 2010) |
La Commune (Paris, 1871)is a 2000 historicaldrama filmdirected byPeter Watkinsabout theParis Commune.A historical re-enactment in the style of adocumentary,the film received much acclaim from critics for its political themes and Watkins' direction.
| La commune (Paris, 1871) | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Watkins |
| Written by |
|
| Cinematography | Odd-Geir Sæther |
| Edited by |
|
Release dates |
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Running time | 345 min. 220 min. (theatrical cut) |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
Production
editLa Commune (Paris, 1871)has been noted for its very large cast. It is mainly non-professional, including many immigrants fromNorth Africa.Members did much of their own research for the project. Watkins once said of the film, "The Paris Communehas always been severely marginalized by the French education system, despite - or perhaps because - it is a key event in the history of the European working class, and when we first met, most of the cast admitted that they knew little or nothing about the subject. It was very important that the people become directly involved in our research on the Paris Commune, thereby gaining an experiential process in analyzing those aspects of the current French system which are failing in their responsibility to provide citizens with a truly democratic and participatory process. "[1]
Filming
editLa Commune (Paris, 1871)was shot in just 13 days in an abandoned factory on the outskirts ofParis.
Like many of Watkins' later films, it is quite lengthy - a long cut runs 5 hours and 45 minutes, though the more common version is 3 and a half hours long. The long version is available on DVD. The making ofLa Commune (Paris, 1871)was documented in the 2001National Film Board of CanadafilmThe Universal Clock: The Resistance of Peter Watkins,directed byGeoff Bowie.[2][3]
Critical reception
editLa Commune (Paris, 1871)received general acclaim from film critics. Review aggregatorRotten Tomatoesreports 100% approval with an average rating of 8/10.[4]OnMetacritic,the film holds ameanscore of 90/100, indicating "universal acclaim".[5]
J. HobermanofSight & Soundmagazine wrote, "Watkins restages history in its own ruins, uses the media as a frame, and even so, manages to imbue his narrative with amazing presence. No less than the event it chronicles, La Commune is a triumph of spontaneous action."[6]Jonathan Rosenbaumcalled it Watkins' "latest magnum opus".[7]Dave Kehr,writing forThe New York Times,called it "essential viewing for anyone interested in taking an exploratory step outside the Hollywood norms."[8]
In 2016,Michael AtkinsonofThe Village Voicelisted it as the greatest film since 2000.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"LaCommune_PeterWatkins".pwatkins.mnsi.net.
- ^Bowie, Geoff."The Universal Clock -The Resistance of Peter Watkins".Online film.National Film Board of Canada.Retrieved22 November2011.
- ^Begoray, Deborah L. (11 April 2003)."The Universal Clock: The Resistance of Peter Watkins".Canadian Materials.IX(16). Manitoba Library Association. Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2011.Retrieved22 November2011.
- ^"'La Commune' (2003) on RT ".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^"Reviews for 'La Commune (Paris 1871)'".Metacritic.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^"The Village Voice: Film: Anarchy Then and Now by J. Hoberman".villagevoice.2003-07-02. Archived fromthe originalon 2003-07-08.
- ^Rosenbaum, Jonathan (May 17, 2002)."The Revolution Has Been Televised [Peter Watkins' LA COMMUNE]".Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^Kehr, Dave (3 July 2003)."It's Paris in 1871, and You Are There".The New York Times.
- ^Atkinson, Michael (August 23, 2016)."The 21st Century's 100 greatest films: Who voted?".BBC.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
Bibliography
editExternal links
edit- Notes onLa Communefrom Peter Watkins' website
- La CommuneatIMDb
- La Commune Paris 1871Archived2006-10-23 at theWayback Machineat theNFB
- Peter Watkins'La Communecommentary atThe Soche.