drama. war films / France / 80’ / Noir & blanc / status : completed / French / long feature-film / All Rights / International collections
MAGIRAMA consists of a program of four short films (Auprès de ma blonde, Fête foraine,
Château des nuages, and J’accuse) shot in polyvision by Abel Gance and Nelly Kaplan.
Polyvision is a three-screen projection system first tested with Napoléon (1927). For
MAGIRAMA, Abel Gance and Nelly Kaplan reused footage from previously filmed
works, including a one-hour version of the 1937 film J’ACCUSE. This triptych format
creates a new cinematic and viewing experience. Conceived in 1956 as an effort to ‘save
the dying cinema’, MAGIRAMA was withdrawn from screens after just eight weeks.
A rare cinematic experiment, now available to rediscover in a newly restored 4K version!
The digitization and reconstruction of Abel Gance and Nelly Kaplan’s program were
carried out by the CNC laboratory, based on original elements deposited with the
CNC. The restoration and calibration of J’accuse were carried out by the Transperfect
laboratory. The soundtracks were restored by L.E. Diapason and Cinévolution.
Press
«n Gance’s view, Polyvision is not merely a formal enhancement of what already exists. It is truly a new form of cinematic language — a revolutionary means of reviving poetry on cinema weary screens.»
Le Monde
