L'île de Pâques (1935)

The first Easter Island documentary, filmed in 1935 when the Belgian naval ship Mercator came to collect Drs. Henri Lavacherry and Alfred Métraux, who had arrived six months before to carry out archaeological and ethnological work. The film, directed with melodramatic gusto and featuring a full orchestral score by Maurice Jaubert (who also did the narration), shows islanders, the monuments, and a public dance. A theme of decay and decadence characterizes the film, the motif portrayed gruesomely by extensive close-ups of the inhabitants of the leper colony there at the time. The film suited a romantic image of a mysterious lost civilization, the survivors eking out a pitiful existence on a barren rock. (Grant McCall)

Director: John Fernhout, Henri Storck
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 23 min
Release Date:

Cast

Music: Maurice Jaubert
Cinematography: John Fernhout
Editing: Henri Storck
Production: Cinéma-Edition-Production
Country: France, Belgium
Language: Français
Original Language: fr

Keywords

ethnographical, short film

More Films by Director: John Fernhout, Henri Storck
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is L'île de Pâques about?
The first Easter Island documentary, filmed in 1935 when the Belgian naval ship Mercator came to collect Drs. Henri Lavacherry and Alfred Métraux, who had arrived six months before to carry out archaeological and ethnological work. The film, directed with melodramatic gusto and featuring a full orchestral score by Maurice Jaubert (who also did the narration), shows islanders, the monuments, and a public dance. A theme of decay and decadence characterizes the film, the motif portrayed gruesomely by extensive close-ups of the inhabitants of the leper colony there at the time. The film suited a romantic image of a mysterious lost civilization, the survivors eking out a pitiful existence on a barren rock. (Grant McCall)
Who directed L'île de Pâques?
L'île de Pâques was directed by John Fernhout, Henri Storck.
Who stars in L'île de Pâques?
L'île de Pâques stars Maurice Jaubert.
How long is L'île de Pâques?
L'île de Pâques has a runtime of 23m (23 minutes).
What genre is L'île de Pâques?
L'île de Pâques is a Documentary film.
Where was L'île de Pâques produced?
L'île de Pâques was produced in France, Belgium.