A greedy tycoon decides, on a whim, to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing the grain's producers into charity lines and further into poverty. The film continues to contrast the ironic differences between the lives of those who work to grow the wheat and the life of the man who dabbles in its sale for profit.
A greedy tycoon decides, on a whim, to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing the grain's producers into charity lines and further into poverty. The film continues to contrast the ironic differences between the lives of those who work to grow the wheat and the life of the man who dabbles in its sale for profit.
A Corner in Wheat
D. W. Griffith
1909
12 min.
USA
Drama. Rural.
Alice dozes in a garden, awakened by a dithering white rabbit in waistcoat with pocket watch. She follows him down a hole and finds herself in a hall of many doors. A key opens a small door: eventually, she's through into a garden where a dog awaits. Later, in the rabbit's home, her size is again a problem. She tries to help a nanny with a howling baby, then a Cheshire cat directs her to a tea party where the Mad Hatter and March Hare dunk a dormouse. Expelled from the party, Alice happens on a royal processional: all the cards in the deck precede the Queen of Hearts, who welcomes then turns on Alice and calls on the royal executioner. Alice must run for her life.
Alice dozes in a garden, awakened by a dithering white rabbit in waistcoat with pocket watch. She follows him down a hole and finds herself in a hall of many doors. A key opens a small door: eventually, she's through into a garden where a dog awaits. Later, in the rabbit's home, her size is again a problem. She tries to help a nanny with a howling baby, then a Cheshire cat directs her to a tea party where the Mad Hatter and March Hare dunk a dormouse. Expelled from the party, Alice happens on a royal processional: all the cards in the deck precede the Queen of Hearts, who welcomes then turns on Alice and calls on the royal executioner. Alice must run for her life.
Alice in Wonderland
Cecil M. Hepworth
1903
8 min.
UK
Fantasy. Tale.
Discover the streets of turn-of-the-century Barcelona seen from the perspective of a tram.
Discover the streets of turn-of-the-century Barcelona seen from the perspective of a tram.
Barcelona en tranvía
Ricard de Baños
1908
7 min.
Spain
Documentary
First preserved narrative film made in Valencia by Antonio Cuesta.
First preserved narrative film made in Valencia by Antonio Cuesta.
El cec del poble (El ciego de la aldea)
Antonio Cuesta, Ángel García Cardona
1907
8 min.
Spain
Drama. Rural.
Segundo de Chomón shows us some of the most iconic and beautiful places in the Castilian city of Burgos, in the heart of Spain.
Segundo de Chomón shows us some of the most iconic and beautiful places in the Castilian city of Burgos, in the heart of Spain.
Burgos Voyage
Segundo de Chomón
1911
4 min.
France/Spain
Documentary
Mr. Grasshopper, a jilted cameraman, takes his revenge by filming Mr. Beetle and his mistress Ms. Dragonfly and then shows the results at a local cinema where Mrs. Beetle is in the audience.
Mr. Grasshopper, a jilted cameraman, takes his revenge by filming Mr. Beetle and his mistress Ms. Dragonfly and then shows the results at a local cinema where Mrs. Beetle is in the audience.
Mest kinematograficheskogo operatora
Wladyslaw Starewicz
1912
12 min.
Russia
Animation
Lotte Reiniger's recreation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale using her famous shadow technique inspired by Wayang theatre.
Lotte Reiniger's recreation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale using her famous shadow technique inspired by Wayang theatre.
Aschenputtel
Lotte Reiniger
1922
13 min.
Germany
Animation
One of the first examples of Joris Ivens' experimental documentary cinema. This silent film explores the then-newly constructed Rotterdam vertical-lift railroad bridge: its structure, mechanisms, complex actions, and the steam-powered trains and ships making use of it.
One of the first examples of Joris Ivens' experimental documentary cinema. This silent film explores the then-newly constructed Rotterdam vertical-lift railroad bridge: its structure, mechanisms, complex actions, and the steam-powered trains and ships making use of it.
De Brug
Joris Ivens
1928
11 min.
Netherlands
Experimental. Documentary
Laure and Bertrand arrive at the Electric Hotel, where a control board allows inanimate objects to come to life. The film displays one of the earliest uses of stop motion animation in history, though it is not de Chomón's first try at this technique: his 1906 film, Le théâtre de Bob, uses animated puppets. However, Hôtel électrique is also an early use of pixilation.
Laure and Bertrand arrive at the Electric Hotel, where a control board allows inanimate objects to come to life. The film displays one of the earliest uses of stop motion animation in history, though it is not de Chomón's first try at this technique: his 1906 film, Le théâtre de Bob, uses animated puppets. However, Hôtel électrique is also an early use of pixilation.
Hôtel électrique (el hotel eléctrico)
Segundo de Chomón
1908
9 min.
Spain/France
Fantasy. Comedy
Botany major Buster mistakenly graduates in electrical engineering and is hired to wire a new home. He installs lots of fanciful gadgets. The one who should have received the degree gets even by rewiring all the gadgets to wreak havoc.
Botany major Buster mistakenly graduates in electrical engineering and is hired to wire a new home. He installs lots of fanciful gadgets. The one who should have received the degree gets even by rewiring all the gadgets to wreak havoc.
The Electric House
Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline
1922
19 min.
USA
Comedy
Emak-Bakia shows elements of fluid mechanical motion in parts, rotating artifacts showing his ideas of everyday objects being extended and rendered useless. Kiki of Montparnasse (Alice Prin) is shown driving a car in a scene through a town. Towards the middle of the film, Jacques Rigaut appears dressed in female clothing and make-up. The film features sculptures by Pablo Picasso, and some of Man Ray's mathematical objects both still and animated using a stop motion technique.
Emak-Bakia shows elements of fluid mechanical motion in parts, rotating artifacts showing his ideas of everyday objects being extended and rendered useless. Kiki of Montparnasse (Alice Prin) is shown driving a car in a scene through a town. Towards the middle of the film, Jacques Rigaut appears dressed in female clothing and make-up. The film features sculptures by Pablo Picasso, and some of Man Ray's mathematical objects both still and animated using a stop motion technique.
Emak-Bakia
Man Ray
1926
19 min.
France
Experimental. Surrealism.
This autumn, Dr. Earl Headley is eagerly demonstrating what seems to be a miraculous cure for tuberculosis. Yet not far from where he is working, the disease seems ready to claim yet another life, a young woman named Winifred, who is already seriously ill. Winifred's mother and younger sister Trixie are devastated by the news. When Trixie hears the family doctor say of Winifred that "when the last leaf falls, she will have passed away", she interprets the doctor's words literally. Thinking over what she has heard, she determines to do everything possible to save her sister.
This autumn, Dr. Earl Headley is eagerly demonstrating what seems to be a miraculous cure for tuberculosis. Yet not far from where he is working, the disease seems ready to claim yet another life, a young woman named Winifred, who is already seriously ill. Winifred's mother and younger sister Trixie are devastated by the news. When Trixie hears the family doctor say of Winifred that "when the last leaf falls, she will have passed away", she interprets the doctor's words literally. Thinking over what she has heard, she determines to do everything possible to save her sister.
Falling Leaves
Alice Guy
1912
12 min.
USA
Drama
The first all-animated film in history, a series of scenes without much narrative structure, but morphing into each other.
The first all-animated film in history, a series of scenes without much narrative structure, but morphing into each other.
Fantasmagorie
Émile Cohl
1908
2 min.
France
Animation
Felix, the famous animation cat goes on an incredible adventure in West.
Felix, the famous animation cat goes on an incredible adventure in West.
Felix the Cat: Goes West
Émile Cohl
1908
2 min.
France
Animation
Two friends live together in a poor neighborhood in Tokyo, sharing everything in life. Everything is going well until they rescue a young woman injured in a car accident, who has nowhere to go, so she becomes their maid.
Two friends live together in a poor neighborhood in Tokyo, sharing everything in life. Everything is going well until they rescue a young woman injured in a car accident, who has nowhere to go, so she becomes their maid.
Wasei kenka tomodachi
Yasujiro Ozu
1929
14 min.
USA
Drama. Romance
Entertaining Dadaist experimental short, similar to Man Ray's work, full of shifting geometric shapes, stock footage of seagulls, flying eyeballs, and glaring floating heads..
Entertaining Dadaist experimental short, similar to Man Ray's work, full of shifting geometric shapes, stock footage of seagulls, flying eyeballs, and glaring floating heads.
Filmstudie
Hans Richter
1926
4 min.
Germany
Experimental
Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée but on his wedding night, he is visited by the monster. A fight ensues but the monster, seeing himself in a mirror, is horrified and runs away. He later returns, entering the new bride's room, and finds her alone.
Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée but on his wedding night, he is visited by the monster. A fight ensues but the monster, seeing himself in a mirror, is horrified and runs away. He later returns, entering the new bride's room, and finds her alone.
Frankenstein
J. Searle Dawley
1910
13 min.
USA
Horror
A young man is awakened from a nightmare by the telephone ringing - his girlfriend is calling him because he is late for an amateur theatrical production. But before he can leave, he gets into an argument with his neighbor. Then, soon after he gets on the road, his car stalls. If he cannot get to the theater quickly, he might be replaced in the play by a rival.
A young man is awakened from a nightmare by the telephone ringing - his girlfriend is calling him because he is late for an amateur theatrical production. But before he can leave, he gets into an argument with his neighbor. Then, soon after he gets on the road, his car stalls. If he cannot get to the theater quickly, he might be replaced in the play by a rival.
Get Out and Get Under
Hal Roach
1920
25 min.
USA
Comedy
Dutch girl Johanna loves poor Joachim, but marries the wealthy Miller. When Miller finds the two lovers, he decides to takes revenge. A beautiful expressionist film, with a strong visual impact.
Dutch girl Johanna loves poor Joachim, but marries the wealthy Miller. When Miller finds the two lovers, he decides to takes revenge. A beautiful expressionist film, with a strong visual impact.
Le moulin maudit
Alfred Machin
1909
5 min.
Belgium
Drama
One of the very few surviving films featuring Matsunosuke Onoe (1875-1926), the first movie star in Japan, who starred in more than 1,000 films. It is based on the fantastic tale of Jiraiya, the hero of a ninja novel adapted from a famous Chinese story which was so popular that from 1839 onwards it was serialized for over 30 years, and then became a staple of kabuki theatre.
One of the very few surviving films featuring Matsunosuke Onoe (1875-1926), the first movie star in Japan, who starred in more than 1,000 films. It is based on the fantastic tale of Jiraiya, the hero of a ninja novel adapted from a famous Chinese story which was so popular that from 1839 onwards it was serialized for over 30 years, and then became a staple of kabuki theatre.
Goketsu Jiraiya
Shôzô Makino
1921
21 min.
Japan
Adventures
A family troupe of acrobats, made up to appear Japanese, perform various unbelievable stunts in front of the camera, achieved through a trick of the camera.
A family troupe of acrobats, made up to appear Japanese, perform various unbelievable stunts in front of the camera, achieved through a trick of the camera.
Les Kiriki (acróbatas japoneses)
Segundo de Chomón
1907
3 min.
France/Spain
Fantasy
In a hall, there is a kind of big box. In different choreographies, beautiful damsels emerge from it, changing their costumes.
In a hall, there is a kind of big box. In different choreographies, beautiful damsels emerge from it, changing their costumes.
La Boîte à Cigares
Segundo de Chomón
1907
4 min.
France/Spain
Fantasy
From the rocky center of a fountain a fairy emerges, and with a wave of her wand she causes to appear a huge, green bullfrog, which begins to hop around the fountain.
From the rocky center of a fountain a fairy emerges, and with a wave of her wand she causes to appear a huge, green bullfrog, which begins to hop around the fountain.
La Grenouille
Segundo de Chomón
1908
4 min.
France/Spain
Fantasy
Sheltering from the rain, a group of people arrives at an isolated house in the middle of the countryside where they intend to spend the night.
Sheltering from the rain, a group of people arrives at an isolated house in the middle of the countryside where they intend to spend the night.
La Maison Ensorcelée
Segundo de Chomón
1907
6 min.
France/Spain
Fantasy
Cheng the fruit seller is in love with the daughter of his neighbor the doctor, but the good doctor won't let him marry her unless Chang finds him more patients. With some creative carpentering, Chang sets about augmenting the doctor's income.
Cheng the fruit seller is in love with the daughter of his neighbor the doctor, but the good doctor won't let him marry her unless Chang finds him more patients. With some creative carpentering, Chang sets about augmenting the doctor's income.
Lao gong zhi ai qing
Zhang Shi Chuan
1922
30 min.
China
Comedy
Released in 1921, although almost finished in 1919, it is considered the first absolutely abstract film. Instead of containing descriptions of reality, it consists of a succession of colours and forms, in accordance with the author's manifesto "Painting with Light".
Released in 1921, although almost finished in 1919, it is considered the first absolutely abstract film. Instead of containing descriptions of reality, it consists of a succession of colours and forms, in accordance with the author's manifesto "Painting with Light".
Lichtspiel
Walter Ruttmann
1921-25
23 min.
Germany
Experimental
A fairy emerges from a flower and unites with other flower creatures.
A fairy emerges from a flower and unites with other flower creatures.
L'Iris Fantastique
Segundo de Chomón
1912
4 min.
Spain
Fantasy
A stylish short-film updating of the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale...
A stylish short-film updating of the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale...
La Petite Marchande d'allumettes
Jean Renoir
1928
32 min.
France
Drama
Morning reveals New York harbor, the wharves, the Brooklyn Bridge. A ferry boat docks, disgorging its huddled mass. People move briskly along Wall St. or stroll more languorously through a cemetery. Ranks of skyscrapers extrude columns of smoke and steam. In plain view. Or framed, as through a balustrade...
Morning reveals New York harbor, the wharves, the Brooklyn Bridge. A ferry boat docks, disgorging its huddled mass. People move briskly along Wall St. or stroll more languorously through a cemetery. Ranks of skyscrapers extrude columns of smoke and steam. In plain view. Or framed, as through a balustrade...
Manhatta
Paul Strand, Charles Sheeler
1921
10 min.
USA
Documentary
Miss Ledyia Katson and her millionaire uncle arrive from the United States to Pontevedra, visiting the island of La Toja. There they meet the kings of Swabia, who are incognito and are threatened by the arrival of an anarchist who intends to carry out an attack.
Miss Ledyia Katson and her millionaire uncle arrive from the United States to Pontevedra, visiting the island of La Toja. There they meet the kings of Swabia, who are incognito and are threatened by the arrival of an anarchist who intends to carry out an attack.
Miss Ledyia
Xosé Gil
1916
22 min.
Spain
Thriller
An old couple finds a child in a fruit.
Nihon-ichi Momotarô
Sanae Yamamoto
1928
11 min.
Japan
Animation
Short film reconstructing the assassination of José Canalejas in Madrid's Puerta del Sol. After the reconstruction, real images of his funeral are shown. José Isbert plays the assassin Manuel Pardiñas, a role that was his first appearance in a film.
Short film reconstructing the assassination of José Canalejas in Madrid's Puerta del Sol. After the reconstruction, real images of his funeral are shown. José Isbert plays the assassin Manuel Pardiñas, a role that was his first appearance in a film.
Asesinato y entierro de Don José Canalejas
Enrique Blanco, Adelardo Fernández Arias
1912
7 min.
Spain
Documentary
This is the first recording, found to date, of Toledo. Filmed by Segundo de Chomón and released in March 1912 for a French audience as a documentary.
This is the first recording, found to date, of Toledo. Filmed by Segundo de Chomón and released in March 1912 for a French audience as a documentary.
L'Antique Toledo
Segundo de Chomón
1912
3 min.
France/Spain
Documentary
Buster gets married, and as a wedding present his uncle gives him and his new bride some land and a house to go with it, but only when they get to the lot do they realised that the house is not yet assembled!
Buster gets married, and as a wedding present his uncle gives him and his new bride some land and a house to go with it, but only when they get to the lot do they realised that the house is not yet assembled!
One Week
Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline
1920
19 min.
USA
Comedy
Segundo de Chomón explores the magic of dance and fantasy in this short film from the first decade of the century, a clear example of the Spanish filmmaker's style.
Segundo de Chomón explores the magic of dance and fantasy in this short film from the first decade of the century, a clear example of the Spanish filmmaker's style.
Les Papillons Japonais
Segundo de Chomón
1920
4 min.
France/Spain
Fantasy
Early roots of sci-fi magic are given to us in the form of a scientist who invents a ray that makes people caught in its beam fall asleep where they stand. With magical and wonderful shots of a Paris long gone, it is the adventure of a group of unaffected who with their sudden freedoms play the game of mice while the cat is away.
Early roots of sci-fi magic are given to us in the form of a scientist who invents a ray that makes people caught in its beam fall asleep where they stand. With magical and wonderful shots of a Paris long gone, it is the adventure of a group of unaffected who with their sudden freedoms play the game of mice while the cat is away.
Paris qui dort
René Clair
1924
35 min.
France
Fantasy
Rain falls on a Dutch city.
Regen
Joris Ivens
1929
35 min.
Netherlands
Documentary. Experimental
Experimental film, white specks, and shapes gyrating over a black background, a light-striped torso, a gyrating eggcrate. One of the first Dadaist films.
Experimental film, white specks, and shapes gyrating over a black background, a light-striped torso, a gyrating eggcrate. One of the first Dadaist films.
Le Retour à la Raison
Man Ray
1923
3 min.
France
Experimental
Hans Richter's first film, belonging to the "absoluten Films" movement. Three minutes of visual geometry, constantly changing size and shape.
Hans Richter's first film, belonging to the "absoluten Films" movement. Three minutes of visual geometry, constantly changing size and shape.
Rhythmus 21
Hans Richter
1923
3 min.
Germany
Experimental. Animation
A short film-essay in which images comment on a song.
Romance Sentimentale
Sergei Eisenstein
1930
20 min.
France/USSR
Experimental
Two children sneak out of their bedroom on the night of December 24, so that they can ask 'Santa Claus' where he lives and what he does the rest of the year.
Two children sneak out of their bedroom on the night of December 24, so that they can ask 'Santa Claus' where he lives and what he does the rest of the year.
Santa Claus
Frank E. Kleinschmidt
1925
29 min.
USA
Fantasy. Children
In an unnamed place, his majesty Satan is bored. Despite his servants exertions, nothing can be found to cheer him up.
In an unnamed place, his majesty Satan is bored. Despite his servants exertions, nothing can be found to cheer him up.
Satan s'amuse
Segundo de Chomón
1907
10 min.
France/Spain
Fantasy
A man rents an apartment and furnishes it in remarkable fashion.
Le locataire diabolique
Georges Méliès
1909
6 min.
France
Fantasy
Buster is inadvertently identified as the notorious outlaw Dead Shot Dan. He is pursued throughout the city by the local police chief, using disguises and quick-thinking to elude the lawman.
Buster is inadvertently identified as the notorious outlaw Dead Shot Dan. He is pursued throughout the city by the local police chief, using disguises and quick-thinking to elude the lawman.
The Goat
Buster Keaton, Malcolm St. Clair
1921
24 min.
USA
Comedy
A breakthrough achievement in motion picture history, this film stood out at the time for its length, its choice of genre (the "western"), as well as technical advancements, including its use of close-ups and Porter's decision to move the camera from side-to-side (what we now refer to as "panning").
A breakthrough achievement in motion picture history, this film stood out at the time for its length, its choice of genre (the "western"), as well as technical advancements, including its use of close-ups and Porter's decision to move the camera from side-to-side (what we now refer to as "panning").
The Great Train Robbery
Edwin S. Porter
1903
10 min.
USA
Western
Silhouette animation of the story of the birth of Jesus by the great Lotte Reiniger, creator of "The Adventures of Prince Achmed".
Silhouette animation of the story of the birth of Jesus by the great Lotte Reiniger, creator of "The Adventures of Prince Achmed".
Der Stern von Bethlehem
Lotte Reiniger
1921
11 min.
Germany
Animation
Six brave astronomers plan a voyage from Earth to the Moon. They build a space capsule in the shape of a bullet and a huge cannon to shoot it into space.
Six brave astronomers plan a voyage from Earth to the Moon. They build a space capsule in the shape of a bullet and a huge cannon to shoot it into space.
Le Voyage dans la Lune
Georges Méliès
1902
14 min.
France
Fantasy
Len Lye's first animation painted directly on celluloid. The film depicts the evolution of a single-celled organism transforming into more complex organic forms, images of tribal cultures, and contemporary modernist concepts.
Len Lye's first animation painted directly on celluloid. The film depicts the evolution of a single-celled organism transforming into more complex organic forms, images of tribal cultures, and contemporary modernist concepts.
Tusalava
Len Lye
1929
10 min.
UK
Animation. Experimental