Originally made for and broadcast on French television, these four vignettes (three stories and a song) compose Renoir's last cinematic effort and represent the director's varied film styles. 1.) The Last Christmas Eve- In this contemporary fairy tale, a group of wealthy revelers hire a beggar to stand before them as they eat a lavish dinner. The mendicant takes home the sumptuous leftovers to his wife, and the two re-live extravagant fantasies. 2.) The Electric Floorwaxer- Described by the director as an opera about man versus the machine, this musical farce focuses on a housewife's obsession with her parquet floor and her new electric floorwaxer. 3.) La Belle Epoque- Jeanne Moreau, in period dress, sings "When love dies," a sentimental song that mocks 20th-century veneration and nostalgia for the last years of 19th-century France. 4.) The King of Yvetot- This comedy with a surprise ending tells the story of an older man, his young, seductive wife, and her lover.
100 min. In French with English subtitles.
Also showing: KWANSAA, color, 30 minutes. Directed by Harry Vaughn, 1993. Presented by Ademola Ekuloma. - Presents the African-American principles, practices, and traditions of Kwanzaa, a harvest festival observed December 26 through January 1. Originally created in 1966 as a black nationalist alternative to Christmas, the history, symbols, gifts, values, and celebration of this holiday are explored.
New York City, NY; NYC