a propos de nice

A Propos de Nice (Vigo) (expressionist documentary) France 1930

realism- as unmediated as possible, simple visual aesthetic, truthful, spectator reflection.
expressionism- highly mediated, highly constructed visual aesthetic, manipulation of truth, reaction from spectator.

this film focuses on class inequalities within nice. Vigo- "a way of life is put on trial"
influenced by Soviet modernism and constructivism.

modernism:
celebrates new exciting world. strong commitment to the machine as a progressive force. celebrates a new way of life. challenges and progresses what's been done before.

constructivism:
use of montage as an editing technique (cinematic version of a collage- non-chronological) creating different thoughts. celebrates the machine/ industrialisation by using montage.

city symphonies:
emerged in the 1920s. a poetic, experimental documentary that presents a portrait of daily life within a city, aiming to capture the city's spirit.

context:
soviet revolution (1929)- socialist unrest across Europe. ideas about working-class changing, power to question wealthy growing rapidly. Spain (Vigo's parents) under military dictatorship. Vigo's father (Anarchist journalist) was killed by the government.
the rich in France lived opulent lives, contrasting from the poor.
Vigo associated with a revolutionary left wing group (LEF group)
Vigo associated with left wing film makers, who were harsh critics of capitalism, also part of LEF group.
wanted to show the boredom of the upper-class lives and the struggle of the poor- contrast between classes.