Watch Entr'acte

Entr'acte is a French avant-garde short film directed by René Clair and released in 1924. It was filmed in black and white and has a runtime of approximately 20 minutes. The film was produced as a cinematic intermission between two acts of a ballet, and it is notable for its use of surrealistic imagery and experimental techniques.

The film opens with a sequence showing a group of mourners at a funeral procession. As the procession moves through the streets, the camera captures several surreal and dreamlike images, such as a woman's hand protruding from a carriage window and an acrobat performing a stunt on a rooftop.

After the procession reaches its destination, the film transitions to a series of scenes featuring various characters engaged in playful and whimsical activities. These scenes include a group of men playing a game of chess, a woman applying makeup in front of a mirror, and a group of young children playing in a playground.

Throughout the film, Clair uses a variety of experimental techniques, such as slow motion and reverse motion, to create a sense of disorientation and otherworldliness. The film also features a number of visual gags, such as a series of rapid jump cuts showing a man rapidly transforming into a woman, a bird, and then back into a man again.

One of the most memorable sequences in the film is a scene involving a group of men playing a game of rugby. The action is filmed in slow motion, with the players leaping and tumbling across the screen in a balletic display of athleticism. This sequence is accompanied by a frenetic jazz score that adds to the energetic and chaotic feel of the scene.

Another notable sequence in the film shows a group of men building a tower made of chairs. As the tower grows taller and taller, it becomes increasingly unstable and eventually collapses, causing the men to tumble to the ground in a heap.

The film's climax features a dramatic and surreal sequence involving a group of characters soaring through the sky on a giant white horse. The camera captures sweeping aerial shots of the horse and its riders as they glide through the clouds and race towards an abstract, otherworldly horizon.

Overall, Entr'acte is a striking and visually stunning film that pushes the boundaries of traditional cinema. Its use of experimental techniques and surreal imagery creates a dreamlike and disorienting atmosphere that is both playful and unsettling. Despite its short runtime, the film feels like a complete and immersive experience, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.