PETER WATKINS - LA COMMUNE (PARIS 1871)

In his La Commune (Paris, 1871), the English film and television director Peter Watkins (1935) tried to recreate the atmosphere in the 11th District of Paris during the Paris Commune, a key event in the history of Paris and France, and that of the European working class. The film was shot in 13 days in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Paris. The cast is mainly non-professional, including immigrants from North Africa. Set up as a documentary made by 'la télévision communale', the film also reflects on contemporary media strategies. The film characters present themselves to the camera. Through their stories and re-enactments of key events of the revolutionary days, the viewer is offered an insight into what happened during the Paris Commune from the perspective of Parisians. Peter Watkins is a pioneer of docudrama. Most of his films combine dramatic and documentary elements, and he often uses non-professional actors.

La Commune (Paris 1871) Peter Watkins, 1999, 345', colour and b&w, French spoken, French running text/titles.

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This event is part of EXTRA LENGTH - SCREENINGS