We are delighted to present a unique selection of eight silent short films restored by the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation. They will screen before some of the new features in the main programme. This season is organised with the support of the Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation (Paris), with special thanks to Carole Fodor. 

SELECTION 1: 

ILLUSTRATED RECORDS BY GERMAINE DULAC 

Three short films by Germaine Dulac recovered and restored by the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé in 2023 from the original nitrate negatives held in its collections. The 4K restoration was carried out by L’Image Retrouvée laboratory, with the support of the CNC. © 1930 – Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé 

In 1930, the year that marked the French film industry’s total conversion to sound, Germaine Dulac (1882–1942), a pioneering figure of French avant-garde cinema, directed six ‘illustrated records’, post-synchronised silent films designed to accompany a variety of classical and popular original music recordings.  

SELECTION 2: 

CORPUS LÉONTINE (1910-1911)  

Five short films with Léontine (unknown performer), star of Pathé Comica series that produced over 21 titles between 1910-1912. The films had their world premiere at Le Giornate del Cinema Muto, Pordenone 2017, and featured as part of Cinema’s First Nasty Women, a collection of rarely-seen silent films about feminist protest, anarchic slapstick destruction and suggestive gender play. 

The 4K restoration by the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé in 2019  from the original nitrate negatives held in its collections was carried out by L’Image Retrouvée laboratory, Paris-Bologna. All films © 1910 and © 1911 – Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé 

Screening throughout the IFI French Film Festival, November 15 – 26.