Le départ d'Arlequin et de Pierrette

"Le départ d'Arlequin et de Pierrette" is a very early film by the French director, Alice Guy. And, like most of her early work, the film is very brief...and, unfortunately, also in rather poor shape. Most silent films made in the early days have disappeared...due to the ravages of time on nitrate film stock. This is because this type of film tends to decompose or explode rather easily! So, as you watch this short, cut it some slack as at least it does exist...even in a rather messy condition.

As for the film, it consists of some women dancing about. What exactly they are doing is confusing as is seeing the traditional character Pierrot (from the Italian 'Commedia dell'arte') in the form of a lady instead. Exactly what they do is uncertain...but they share a kiss at the end...and you wonder if this was supposed to be a lesbian plot. It's all in hand-painted color (with each cel being hand painted!).

Overall, difficult to enjoy but an important film due to its age and the renewed interest and reappraisal of Alice Guy's work.

The clown in white Pierrot pesters Pierrette who prefers to dance with a female Harlequin in green. An ironic take on the story of Pierrot, Pierrette, Harlequin and Columbine, with Pierrot being the one left out in the cold this time (and no Columbine in sight). Pierrette's Escapades/Les Fredaines de Pierrette is a 1900 silent short film from pioneer French film director Alice Guy and features 'hand colouring'. It is also known as Le depart d'Arlequin et de Pierrette.