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THEME EXPLORATION

mechanical improvisation

10 films · 3 directors

Tracing the thread…

FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
Poussières d’amour
Poussières d’amour
1996 · Werner Schroeter
Moi, un noir
Moi, un noir
1958 · Jean Rouch
A Dedicated Machine
A Dedicated Machine
2009 · Apichatpong Weerasethakul
La Bande des quatre
La Bande des quatre
1988 · Jacques Rivette
Idlers That Work
Idlers That Work
1949 · Lindsay Anderson
Sculpture Mouvante – Jean Tinguely
Sculpture Mouvante – Jean Tinguely
1981 · Hiroshi Teshigahara
Duck Amuck
Duck Amuck
1953 · Chuck Jones
The Trip to Spain
The Trip to Spain
2017 · Michael Winterbottom
Donald and the Wheel
Donald and the Wheel
1961 · Hamilton Luske
Gdansk
Gdansk
2017 · Neill Blomkamp
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Charlie Chaplin → United Kingdom

His physical comedy and interactions with machines—most famously in Modern Times—transform mechanical systems into instruments of improvised human expression and resistance.

Jacques Tati → France

He orchestrates elaborate mechanical gags and industrial spaces as stages for spontaneous, rhythmic physical improvisation that critiques modern automation.

Buster Keaton → United States

His deadpan performances improvise with complex mechanical props and settings, treating machines as dance partners in precisely choreographed yet seemingly spontaneous sequences.

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