La Jetée
dir. Chris Marker · 1962
The experience of being alive is shaped by our memories and connections to others, transcending time and circumstance.
Feature
Time Travel & Paradox
Mood
Melancholic / Contemplative
Look
striking black-and-white imagery with photomontage
Structure
non-linear, primarily through still images and narration
Plot
A man confronts his past during an experiment that attempts to find a solution to the problems of a post-apocalyptic world caused by a world war.
Why watch
"La Jetée" is a visually arresting exploration of love, memory, and time, told through haunting still images that evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia. Chris Marker crafts a poignant tale that transcends the boundaries of traditional storytelling, inviting viewers to ponder the complexities of human connection amid a dystopian landscape.
Cultural context
Cold War anxietiespost-war existentialismthe rise of experimental filmand the French New Wave influence