Taschen releases archive of France's most-famous comedian
Although he passed away in 1982, the world is still laughing at Jacques Tati. Now, the Taschen publishing house has released a collection of his work, including essays and film stills.
A mime at heart
Jacques Tati (1907 - 1982) did excellent impressions that were part of his allure. He also studied pantomime, and his gestures and comical facial expressions were sure to make the audience laugh. Tati became world-famous with only a handful of film comedies and is considered one of the greats, in line with Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.
A troubling vacation
Now, Tati's work has been put into a five-volume collection: "The Definitive Jacques Tati." Published by Taschen in English and French, it includes everything one could want to know about the famous funny man. There is plenty of information about his hit film "Mr. Hulot's Holiday," in which a man goes on a beach vacation and finds more than he bargains for.
Fighting with reality in "My Uncle"
Tati was a master at showing how man can fight societal change and documenting the funny side of that often difficult process of adapting to reality. He succeeded masterfully in his film "My Uncle" in the late 1950s, portraying himself as a hero in the fight against the pitfalls of modernity.
A look into the future
Tati's cinematic yet comical views of the present day and modernity were ahead of their time. In his 1967 film "Playtime," he imaged a Paris that consists almost entirely of glass and concrete, of skyscrapers and anonymous office buildings. "Playtime" gave viewers a glimpse into the future.
Man vs. Modernism
Tati's universe moved between Kafka and Chaplin, science fiction and slapstick. But the visionary, who always played the leading role in his movies, seldom kept production costs low. He wracked up a significant amount of debt having a futuristic city built for "Playtime." Today's filmmakers use digital technology to do similar work.
Comedies sure to stand the test of time
After "Playtime," Tati shot a movie, a TV series and the made-for-TV film "Parade" (pictured). But in 1974 he retired from the film business and withdrew from the limelight. He left his audience a small, yet timeless body of work that's sure to stand the test of time.