ACÉPHALE
“An ascetic prince wanders aimlessly, lectures at a university, wanders again, meets other underfed individuals, plunges into the maze of the city, wanders again, discovers virgin forest and builds a community, feels trapped, returns by himself, wanders in desperation, arrives at a crossroads at night-time, insults a woman passing by and apologizes immediately.”
– Philippe Azoury
Jackie Raynal and Laurent Condominas in ACÉPHALE (1968)
“The film’s title is lifted from Bataille and means literally the headless man, prefiguring director Patrick Deval’s desire to push beyond rational ways of thinking through a combination of Eastern religion and revolutionary symbolism. The opening image of a head being shaved accompanied by the sound of a saw suggests the violence this may entail but also evokes the anger and desire for change in post-68 Paris. The film documents a ‘headless’ group of young people living in the woods and an abandoned subway station, their marginalized status detailed through direct camera address and obscure theatrics. The sentiments expressed can feel dated but the oneiric imagery is often unforgettable.”
– Kieron Corless, Vertigo, Summer 20
Contents
Format: DVD-PAL / Region 0
(No Regional Code); Inquire for downloadable DSL file/s
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ACÉPHALE
(France, 1968)
Director: Patrick Deval
Editor: Jackie Raynal
Producer: Sylvina Boissonas
Production Company: Zanzibar Films
Cast: Jacques Baratier, Michael Chapman, Laurent Condominas, Patrick Deval, Christian Ledoux, Edouard, Niermans, Jackie Raynal, Ève Ridoux, Audrey Vipond
• 56 minutes
• 35mm
• B&W
• Sound
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Bonus Material
HERACLITE L’OBSCUR
(France, 1968)
• 20 minutes
• 16mm
• B&W
• Sound
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Total Running Time: 01:16:29
Language: French. English, Spanish, German & Italian subtitles
Booklet Text: Patrick Deval & Philippe Azoury (Bilingual English & French)
Published By: Re:Voir Video
Institutional Price: DVD or Blu-ray $250 (plus shipping); Digital File Download $500
To order call: 212.280.8654 or click here for information on ordering by fax, e-mail or post.