Eaux D'artifice (1953)
In the National Film Registry
•
13m
Moonlight & water. Woman in gown dances in Italian gardens. Merges with fountain. Vivaldi whispers.
Kenneth Anger's film, Eaux D'Artifice (1953), departs from traditional narratives, instead focusing on a visual and sonic exploration of water, light, and movement.
Filmed at the elaborate water gardens of the Villa d'Este in Italy, Eaux D'Artifice utilizes a unique visual style. Shot in black and white through red filters, the film creates an otherworldly atmosphere. The play of light on the cascading water and sculpted figures transforms the garden into a dreamlike landscape.
Further emphasizing its experimental nature, the film incorporates classical music by Antonio Vivaldi. However, the music is not used to underscore a narrative, but rather to create a counterpoint to the imagery. The interplay between sound and vision invites viewers to engage with the film on a more sensory level.
Eaux D'Artifice's focus on visual experimentation, unconventional narrative structure, and exploration of sound and image relationships exemplifies the core principles of the experimental film movement. It is a captivating and thought-provoking work that challenges viewers to experience cinema in a new way.
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