I was thinking about the first time my dad took me to see Norman McLaren's film Neighbours, among other Canadian Film Board films, and remembering how appalled I was. I can't think I was very old - certainly young enough to be thoroughly scared when the two men kill the mothers and babies. (I wasn't nearly as bothered by them killing each other. And I remember thinking the flowers were being much too forgiving at the end.) If you haven't watched it in a while, or if you've never seen it, it's well worth a look. And then I remembered this ... I welcome you to take a few moments to return to 1957 (or go there for the first time if you're that bit younger) and watch A Chairy Tale by Norman McLaren with music by Ravi Shankar on sitar and Chantur Lal on tabla.
I absolutely should have mentioned Claude Jutra, the young man who played opposite the chair, who was also a well-known Canadian director and actor. Mon Oncle Antoine is probably his most famous film.
This is a revelation to me, Joan, but not so far away from the mime classes we were taught at drama school by Catherine Clouzot. She had trained in Paris under the great mime artist, Marcel Marceau. Until that time (late 60s), English theatre was much more centred on the beauty of language and the more physical side of its expression had been neglected. Drama Centre, where I trained, and new developments in USA (and perhaps also Canada?) were moving the physical side more centre stage. This video is utterly brilliant. I had never seen it before. Thank you for bringing back those years. A wonderful Sunday morning entertainment.
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I absolutely should have mentioned Claude Jutra, the young man who played opposite the chair, who was also a well-known Canadian director and actor. Mon Oncle Antoine is probably his most famous film.
This is a revelation to me, Joan, but not so far away from the mime classes we were taught at drama school by Catherine Clouzot. She had trained in Paris under the great mime artist, Marcel Marceau. Until that time (late 60s), English theatre was much more centred on the beauty of language and the more physical side of its expression had been neglected. Drama Centre, where I trained, and new developments in USA (and perhaps also Canada?) were moving the physical side more centre stage. This video is utterly brilliant. I had never seen it before. Thank you for bringing back those years. A wonderful Sunday morning entertainment.
Loved both these films, Joan. (Where do you get time to find your videos?)
They reminded me of the physical theatre work of Gecko. Do look out for Gecko's rare & surreal appearances if you can.
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