DRAMA SENSE PARAULES (Eusebi Ferré Borrell, 1932). Catalonia, 13'37", black and white and colour, 9.5 mm. Digitised in 2K.
A film with a classic melodramatic plot, in which a woman cheats on her husband and then dies in a road accident, yet which is technically very sophisticated and features colour, animation, cross-fades and collages.
AQUESTA NIT NO SURTO (Francesca Trian Massana, 1934). Catalonia, 08'53", black and white, 16 mm. Digitised in 3K.
The only amateur film officially attributed to a woman. Praised by film critic Josep Palau as “a photogenic, delicate work full of visual poetry” and winner of an honourable mention from the CEC at the 1934 Catalan amateur film competition.
RITMES D’UN DIA (Domènec Giménez Botey, 1933). Catalonia, 08’14”, black and white, 9.5 mm. Digitised in 2K.
One of the great works of avant-garde amateur cinema. Inspired by the work of Francis Bruguière, the film captures a day through the changing light in a major city.
REFLEXES (Domènec Giménez Botey, 1934). Catalonia, 05’38”, black and white, 9.5 mm. Digitised in 2K.
An avant-garde film in which Domènec Giménez Botey experiments with the optical effects of water reflections on various surfaces. Winner of the silver medal at the 1934 Catalan Amateur Film Competition and second prize in the Fantasy category at the 4th International Amateur Film Competition in 1935.
AIGUA (Joan Salvans Piera, 1932). Catalonia, 14’42”, Black and white, 16 mm. Digitised in 3K.
Probably inspired by Ralph Steiner’s film H2O, Salvans creates a lyrical evocation of the element of water by blending images with an original poem. Honourable mention at the 1st Catalan Amateur Film Competition in 1932.
OMBRES (Domènec Giménez Botey, 1935). Catalonia, 06’33”, black and white, 9.5 mm. Digitised in 2K.
Inspired by the film Reflexes, this avant-garde exercise explores the aesthetic possibilities of shadows.
POEMA HOMEOPÀTIC (Manuel Amat Rosés, 1935). Catalonia, 11’19”, black and white, 9.5 mm. Digitised in 2K.
An entertaining parody of 1930s avant-garde cinema, featuring references to Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel, Àurea de Sarrà, Joan Miró, Carles Sindreu and Sebastià Gasch.
The films in this programme have been restored and digitised by the Filmoteca de Catalunya.
