SERIES
ÉCRIT ET RÉALISÉ PAR JACQUES TATI
May at the Trylon
Tati fused silent comedy and modernist ennui. A cabaret performer and mime known for rehearsing gags in front of children and animals, he blended laughs, despair, and a radical style. He also invented one of the great tragicomic clowns—his signature character, Monsieur Hulot. Promotional support for these screenings is provided by Bonjour MN.
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Upcoming Films in this Series
MY UNCLE
(1958, 35mm, 116m, English and French w/English subtitles) w/Tati, Jean-Pierre Zola, Adrienne Servantie. Hulot is caught in a tug-of-war between his carefree, rustic existence and that of his materialistic sister. A riot of vivid color and absurdist décor, the film is so funny that it’s easy to miss its underlying sadness. FRI 7:00 SAT 9:00 SUN 3:00
MONSIEUR HULOT’S HOLIDAY
(1953, DCP, 87m, French w/English subtitles) w/Tati, Mercedes Morán, Graciela Borges, Martin Adjemiàn. The first Hulot film follows the charming buffoon to a seaside resort, where he unintentionally sows chaos among the vacationers. With its spare dialogue and gentle satire of politics and commercialism, this movie established Tati’s style. FRI 9:15 SAT 7:00 SUN 5:15
TRAFIC
(1971, DCP, 97m, French w/English subtitles) w/Tati. Monsieur Hulot is an auto designer who travels to Amsterdam for a car show. But various obstacles delay his arrival. Tati’s critique of materialism feels more pointed today than ever, and his meticulous stylistic control is astounding (especially in the key car-accident scene). FRI 7:00 SAT 9:00 SUN 3:00
PARADE
(1974, DCP, 89m, French w/English subtitles) w/Tati, Karl Kossmayer, Pierre Bramma. Tati’s final feature, made for Swedish TV, takes place in a circus and lovingly portrays the mimes, clowns, acrobats as well as the spectators who take in the glorious mayhem. FRI 9:00 SAT 7:00 SUN 5:00
PLAYTIME
(1967, 35mm, 124m, French w/English subtitles) w/Tati. Playtime finds Hulot going adrift in a stark, absurd modern Paris, which is filled with newfangled technologies. Commonly seen as Tati’s masterpiece, the movie uses deep focus, composition and sound design in revolutionary ways to convey jokes and ideas. FRI/SAT 7:00 9:30 SUN 3:00 5:30