This short French film is from a collection of experimental films entitled "Avant-Garde: Vol. 3:" and is from Disc 1. It's a collection of films that most folks today would probably care very little about, but for some reason I like seeing many of these unusual little art films. Perhaps you will also.
"Nothing But Tim e" is an odd little film that purports to say that all cities are basically the same. However, as if shows tons of footage of Paris and lots of art by folks living there, it sure seems obvious that Paris sure ain't like other cities. Having just returned from Paris yesterday (seriously), I can assure you it's nothing like any other city I have ever visited! One unusual film technique used in the film were taking live scenes and having them become stationary--and then having a hand tear up the scene which is now revealed to be a photo. This was wildly innovative for 1930 as were the low camera angles that must have come from moving cars, a strange but well done cow butchering scene (don't worry--it's not really very gross), closeups of rats and an overall focus on the lives of the city's poor, occasional low-lifes and often ordinary residents. All in all, it's well-constructed and a nice little homage to the less glamorous side of Paris. And, for an art film, it's very watchable and worth your time--as well as a nice historical document of the lives of these folks.
By the way, you might notice a brief scene where water is being poured over a sugar cube on some sort of spoon. This is Absinthe being prepared. Back in 1930, it was thought to be a horribly addictive and deadly spirit abused by the poor that only in the last decade or so has been de-criminalized around the world (because it's basically harmless). It sure made me thirsty, as it's a delicious little drink and should you get a chance, try it by all means!
"Nothing But Tim e" is an odd little film that purports to say that all cities are basically the same. However, as if shows tons of footage of Paris and lots of art by folks living there, it sure seems obvious that Paris sure ain't like other cities. Having just returned from Paris yesterday (seriously), I can assure you it's nothing like any other city I have ever visited! One unusual film technique used in the film were taking live scenes and having them become stationary--and then having a hand tear up the scene which is now revealed to be a photo. This was wildly innovative for 1930 as were the low camera angles that must have come from moving cars, a strange but well done cow butchering scene (don't worry--it's not really very gross), closeups of rats and an overall focus on the lives of the city's poor, occasional low-lifes and often ordinary residents. All in all, it's well-constructed and a nice little homage to the less glamorous side of Paris. And, for an art film, it's very watchable and worth your time--as well as a nice historical document of the lives of these folks.
By the way, you might notice a brief scene where water is being poured over a sugar cube on some sort of spoon. This is Absinthe being prepared. Back in 1930, it was thought to be a horribly addictive and deadly spirit abused by the poor that only in the last decade or so has been de-criminalized around the world (because it's basically harmless). It sure made me thirsty, as it's a delicious little drink and should you get a chance, try it by all means!