As technology is racing forward, special-effects are becoming ever more mind-blowing and CGI realities are starting to feel like the norm, it’s somewhat ironic that there is an increasing interest in using the best tools technology can offer to make films look like they’ve come from an era gone by. Be it filters that seek to make digital video look like traditional 35mm film (easier said than done – the much more cost-prohibitive film creates a look that is near-impossible to recreate digitally), sophisticated stopmotion (see more about that here), it can be extended to depicting characters, stories and costumes that your Nan might identify with more easily than you. This month’s Magathèque bring you a treasure trove of vintage style videos.

Le Baiser (The Kiss) – Stefan Le Lay

Paying homage to the 19th century silent movie, our tale unfolds on a beach where our heroine, equipped with a love letter, excitedly awaits the arrival of its sender. But everything seems to go wrong as soon as they try to kiss: the negative splits in two and after the cinema engineer tries to remedy the situation, everything turns upside down! A topsy-turvy tale of sea, sand and special effects that’s definitely worth dipping into.

Le baiser de Stéfan Le Lay
envoyé par lachiquita. – Découvrez plus de vidéos créatives.

The Bloody Olive – Vincent Bal

After Sam arrives at Mylene and Werner’s with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, The Bloody Olive takes us on a film noir tale of countless twists and turns that make it the ultimate Christmas film as far as I’m concerned. Daringly directed, it showcases effortless Eastern European style (and accents) entwined in an engrossing intrigue.

Fast Film – Virgil Widrich

Many moons after my first viewing, I never cease to be amazed by the skill and effort involved in Virgil Widrich’s revolutionary Fast Film. An animated homage to motion pictures, Fast Film was created by folding a phenomenal 65,000 print outs of film frames form 300 films, into three-dimensional objects, in a process that took 2 years.

Simultaneously referencing the classic action movie, in 14 minutes Fast Film provides a tour de force through film history, from its silent beginnings to present-day Hollywood. It’s only appropriate that it has inspired a league of copycat short films that have been made in the same way. So cult has this film deservedly become that its creators have now made a full tri-lingual website to answer any questions you could possibly have. And if you enjoy this, check out this clip from Copy Shop.

La Flamme – Ron Dyens

A little reminiscent of ‘Le Baiser’ seen earlier, another couple of lovers are trying to meet on the beach, this time at Deauville. Everything looks promising until the titular flame threatens sabotage! At just over a minute and a half long, this little film is a modest miniature masterpiece.