Paris 1900 (1947)
Directed by Nicole Védrès

Film Review

One of the most important documentary films made in France, Paris 1900 vividly conveys the mood of a world in transition, from the exuberance of the belle époque to the shattering folly of world war.  Although much of material in the film is trivial (tastes in fashion, the pastimes of the wealthy elite, and such like), it contains many historically important images.  Most memorable is the rare footage of such figures as artist Claude Monet, writer Edmond Rostand (author of Cyrano de Bergerac), filmmaker Ferdinand Zecca, not to mention a sequence where a young Maurice Chevalier gives his impression of cabaret performer Félix Mayol, in the company of Mistinguet.

The film was the brainchild of producer Pierre Braunberger who engaged journalist Nicole Védrès to assemble a nostalgic portrait of Fin de siècle Paris.  Material for the film was taken from Pathé's huge stock of film and extracts from Henri Langlois' archive, the Cinémathèque française. Claude Dauphin's wry commentary prevents the film from being dry and uninteresting and provides the necessary links between the film segments.   The film was awarded the prestigious Prix Louis-Delluc in 1947.

Film Synopsis

A vibrant montage of moving image depicting life in Paris in the dying days of the Belle Époque, from the turn of the 20th century to the start of the First World War.  With excerpts taken from over seven hundred films of this period, this unique documentary offers the most vivid depiction of the time, encompassing just about every avenue of life.  Among the celebrated individuals who crop up fleetingly are the legendary stage actress Sarah Bernhardt and popular cabaret performer (then in his youth) Maurice Chevalier.  Sport, politics, art and fashion are all represented, along with sobering scenes of hardship at the lower end of the social spectrum that include railway strikes and soup kitchens.  What begins as an exuberant celebration of life in Paris circa 1900 becomes a somewhat moodier affair as the challenges of the new century become apparent and the continent of Europe slides inexorably towards war...