Robert Lapoujade
Directing
Biography
Robert Lapoujade was a French painter, filmmaker, and writer. He began his career as a painter, known for his portraits of French literary figures such as Jean-Paul Sartre and André Breton. Lapoujade transitioned to filmmaking in the 1960s, directing films like Le Socrate (1968) and Le Sourire Vertical (1973). His films often explored philosophical themes and were noted for their experimental style. Lapoujade's work in both painting and film reflects his deep engagement with existential and humanist ideas.
Known For
A kaleidoscope of images from history populate this skillfully animated French feature. The story concerns a history professor whose ideas about human history cause him distress. Amid a flurry of newsreel-type images, Joan of Arc's trial is shown. Another theme which emerges is of two ages (in the far past and far future) in which naked humans fight one another with animalistic aggression.
The Vertical Smile
A modern-day Socrates leaves behind his life as a philosopher to live off the land. When a police inspector is assigned to follow the man and question his motives, the cop gets caught up in the charming philosophy of the man who has left his material possessions behind. He encounters a pretty young woman and her nihilistic boyfriend, the latter who makes a living with his psychedelic side shows. The boyfriend gets the newspapers to print the philosopher's thoughts, prompting him to acquire a bevy of believers. There is some nudity in this comical thought-provoking story, but the main focus remains the words of the man who left behind creature comforts to find himself.
Le Socrate
No description available.
Les Mémoires de Don Quichotte
No description available.
Trois portraits d'un oiseau qui n'existe pas
An actor, passing from the box to the stage, successively interprets seven different characters.
An Actor Without Paradox
"A renowned composer and organist, Olivier Messiaen was also a great teacher. Michel Fano, who took his composition class at the Paris Conservatory, films some of the privileged moments of his teaching. This film, co-directed with Denise Tual, also shows Messiaen as a devotee, an ornithologist, and a synaesthete, evoking the fundamental concepts of his inspiration with an often sparkling ease (the musician imitating certain bird songs in a manner reminiscent of Rouch recreating the cries of wizards for certain films). In this way, the film boldly collides sequences with visual or sound correspondences, the directors succeeding in dragging us into the world of mystery and dreams dear to the musician." (François Waledisch)
Olivier Messiaen and the Birds
Portrait of the French painter-etcher, lithographer and director.
Robert Lapoujade, peintre
No description available.
Vélodrame
Study of the suffocating materialism of modern society as an expression of prima ry retreat to infantilism.
L'annonciation
No description available.
Noir et blanc
No description available.
Foules
This is about a man in prison. This man remembers his past, unless he invents it. The roughness of the cell wall is his reality, which his imagination breaks up. A broken life, described using materials broken into a thousand crumbs.
Prison
An animated short film from Robert Lapoujade.