Appearance
À Propos de Nice
Directed by Jean Vigo and captured by Boris Kaufman, À Propos de Nice (1930) is a seminal work of the "city symphony" genre. This silent documentary film is a sharp, satirical social critique that juxtaposes the idle luxury of the wealthy tourists on the French Riviera with the everyday struggles and traditions of the working-class residents of Nice.
The film is celebrated for its avant-garde techniques, including hidden camera shots, slow motion, and rapid montage. It serves as an impressionistic portrait of a city caught between sun-drenched leisure and the gritty reality of life in the shadows.
Locations
The film was shot entirely on location in the city of Nice, France, capturing a vivid snapshot of the city during the late 1920s.
Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Much of the film's "monied" footage was captured along the Promenade des Anglais. Vigo and Kaufman used a hidden camera (often tucked into a baby carriage) to film the unsuspecting upper class as they lounged, walked, and socialized along the famous Mediterranean waterfront. Map Location
Vieux Nice (Old Town)
In stark contrast to the Promenade, the film explores the narrow, winding streets and crowded tenements of Vieux Nice. Here, the camera focuses on the laundry hanging between buildings, local craftsmen, and children playing, highlighting the socio-economic divide that is central to Vigo's message. Map Location
Place Masséna, Nice
The film features the vibrant energy of the Place Masséna during the annual Nice Carnival. The shots of giant papier-mâché floats and revelers in costume are used to heighten the surreal, almost grotesque nature of the city's festivities. Map Location
The Port of Nice (Lympia)
Vigo included sequences at the Port of Nice, showing the labor involved in maintaining the yachts of the wealthy and the general industrial activity of the harbor, further grounding the film in the reality of the working class. Map Location
Director
Jean Vigo
Cast
Non-professional cast / Residents of Nice
IMDB
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