Who? Pioneer of Avant-Garde cinema during the 1920s, Marcel L’Herbier was one of the first filmmakers to bring together artists of various mediums, collaborating with designers and architects to create his now iconic silent films, including Paul Piret, Lucien LeLong, Sonia and Robert Delaunay and Robert Mallet-Stevens. Elaborate and indulgent set and costume design is met by daring camera angles and experimental lighting. Each film has a unique and captivating sense of style that embodies the Art Deco mood of the decade.
What? A festival programme showcasing L’Herbier’s diverse body of work at The Barbican, BFI Southbank, The Horse Hospital and The French Institute, Cine Lumiere. This includes L’Argent (1928), L’Inhumaine (1923) and L’Epervier.
"Elaborate and indulgent set and costume design is met by daring camera angles and experimental lighting"
Why? L’Herbier’s collaborative and influential approach altered the way in which production was considered, a similar method as Sergei Diaghilev adopted with The Ballets Russes during the same decade. L’Herbier referred to his work as “visual poetry” and believed that every aspect of the creative process should be at the highest and most considered standard. These films now provide an inspiring and beautiful insight into a bygone era of streamline set design, art-deco glamour and ornate fantasy, combining romance, science fiction and melodrama.
Marcel L'Herbier: Fabricating Dreams runs until May 19.
Text by Mhairi Graham
