BALLET MÉCANIQUE
2K Digital Restoration 2015

by Fernand LÉGER & Dudley MURPHY
1923-1924 / 35mm / color-b&w / sound / 1S / 16' 31

Ballet Mechanique – 2K digital restoration 2015 HD

“The abstract film is an invigorating inquiry into the nature of cinema and visual perception in the guise of unfettered play. One of the first films to be acclaimed as avant-garde, ‘Ballet mécanique’ presents an exuberant, determinedly low-tech fantasia on the machine age—whirling pastry whisks, pumping pistons, and all.” —Susan Delson

“The film approaches a new form of visual music based upon object identification and then veers off into a profound new direction based upon randomly ordered variations of montage rhythms in time.” — Bruce Posner

2K digital restoration from 35mm prints preserved 2015 by Bruce Posner at ALPHA-OMEGA digital with EYE Film Institute Netherlands and Film Preservation Associates

Music by George Antheil from original 1924-25 score "Ballet pour instruments mécaniques et percussions," adapted and arranged by Paul D. Lehrman, re-mixed 2015 by Gustavo Matamoros.

“The music is scored for eight percussionists, two pianists, bells, siren, airplane propellers, and sixteen player pianos. It eschews conventional forms, instead creating a unique 'soundscape.' Due to technical limitations related to synchronization, this complex composition was never played in its original instrumentation, alone or with the film.” —Paul D. Lehrman

Courtesy: Masterworks of American Avant-garde Experimental Film 1920-1970

3 PRINTS IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format Digital file on USB stick
screen 16/9 (single screen)
speed 23,976 fps
sound sound
rental fee 250,00 €

distribution format Digital file on USB stick (HD)
screen 16/9 (single screen)
speed 23,976 fps
sound sound
rental fee 250,00 €

distribution format DCP on server (INTEROP 2K)
screen 4/3 (single screen)
speed 24 fps
sound sound
rental fee 250,00 €