Cast : Georgette Leblanc, Jaque Catelain, Philippe Hériat, Léonid Walter de Malte
1923 / science-fiction / France / 123’ / Tinted / status : completed / long feature-film / International collections
Claire Lescot is a famous first lady. All men want to be loved by her and among them is the young scientist Einar Norsen. When she mocks at him, he leaves her house with the declared intention to kill himself.
An emblem of French cinema, L’Inhumaine was conceived as a synthesis of the arts. With architecture by Robert Mallet-Stevens, sets by Fernand Léger, Alberto Cavalcanti and Claude Autant-Lara, and costumes by celebrated couturier Paul Poiret, Marcel L’Herbier brought together leading avant-garde talents to create this rare Art Deco landmark and a true jewel of silent cinema.
Restored in 2K in 2014 by Lobster Films from the original negative, with the reinstatement of the film’s original tinting, previously absent from earlier black-and-white versions. The score, composed by Aidje Tafial, is freely inspired by notes left by Darius Milhaud.
Press
«It is a brilliant song on the greatness of modern technique. ...The final images of L'Inhumaine surpass the imagination. As you emerge from seeing it, you have the impression of having lived through the moment of birth of a new art.»
Adolf Loos
«Stunning visually»
Kristin Thompson
«A film that, ninety years on from its release, is still so far ahead of most of what passes for cinema today. L’Inhumaine was made by Marcel L’Herbier in 1924; no other silent film, perhaps, could match its sheer stylistic and imaginative daring.»
Senses of Cinema
