a Nous la Liberte

Rene Clair - 1931
This is basically a silent film, with Auric music throughout and a few songs (though there is actually dialogue). We have long shots, chases, lots of physical gestures, cuts to emphasis, that is emphasis on action, things to move the plot forward
It has a very distinctive look; of clearly sets made for the piece, perhaps with paper mache, abstract, not really worn (though not gleaming either). The palette operates with one very harsh light, a very interesting look really, and the floods kept pretty light.
This isn’t really a great critique of industrial society, more a wish to focus on the ‘good’ bits of it; it is really very different from ‘Modern Times’. We have the tracks along the line, the difference of the final product and the work in it, a critique of conformism, certainly, but this isn’t really dwelled on. It is, ultimately, out to be a piece of good fun.