Taris, roi de l’eau [Taris] **** (1931, Jean Taris) – Classic Movie Review 8658

Jean Vigo films the French swimming champion Jean Taris performing different swimming acts as he gives us a tour of his water kingdom in the 10-minute avant garde 1931 sport documentary short film Taris, roi de l’eau [Taris] [Jean Taris, Swimming Champion].

Taris, roi de l’eau is notable for Vigo’s innovative techniques, including close-ups and freeze frames of the swimmer’s body, Taris walking into the water in his suit, and poetic shots of the gleaming water. It is shot in black and white by Boris Kaufman.

Vigo relishes displaying his film techniques while Taris enjoys showing off his swimming style to graceful effect.

It follows À Propos de Nice and precedes Zero for Conduct and L’Atalante, which further develops Vigo’s interest in water.

There is a clip on You Tube:

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8658

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