Lampa

Can be found on the Criterion Knife in the Water DVD.

One of the most impressive Polanski shorts. I can't believe how exquisite these look, this, Meurtertwo, Teeth Smile in particular. Shot in such exquisite light, these shorts contain usually one episode, one vibrant, yet dark and dizzying moment. Lampa, probably my favourite after Meurtertwo and Two Men and a Wardrobe (which has a plot, surrealist cynicism and is hilarious), is about a dollmaker's shop. There is no dialogue, it consists simply of Polanski's camera caressing the room, lingering over the faces of the broken dolls, then focussing on the dollmaker putting some eyes and hair onto a doll's head. We feel strongly that there is something perverse about the way the dollmaker reaches inside the head of the doll, and that the doll stands for a child. Which is what makes what happens afterwards so disturbing.

Polanski shorts give you one striking little episode, without dialogue, of exquisitely lit and filmed cinematic gold.