Capital Celluloid 2014 - Day 32: Sat Feb 1

Natan (Duane, 2013): Curzon Soho, 2.45pm



This sounds intriguing and here is the Curzon Soho introduction: Reel Art is an Arts Council scheme based in Ireland designed to provide film artists with a unique opportunity to make highly creative, imaginative and experimental documentaries on an artistic theme.

Bernard Natan could be described as one of the fathers of French cinema. How did he come to be completely forgotten, especially so in France? How is it that what little attention is paid to him centers on his alleged career as a pioneer and performer in early gay and BDSM porn? Why was Bernard Natan's name erased from the history of cinema, despite the fact that he dominated the French film industry for much of the '20s and '30s?

This documentary aims to rewrite the history of European cinema. The man who brought sound cinema to France, who brought Cinemascope to the screen before the word existed, the French equivalent of Louis B. Mayer or Samuel Goldwyn, came to an end so tragic that it seems barely believable. Rumours and falsehoods have swarmed around his story for decades but the film finally brings the truth to light.


The film will be shown in a double-bill with Broken Song and include a Q&A with the film-makers after the screening.

Here (and above) is the trailer for Natan.

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