The byline says “deux temps, trois mouvements”, which means something like “in a twitch of a rabbit’s nose”, much like the time that Tati’s career lasted, just long enough to make 6 films and three short. Discover Tati’s world and the bittersweet story of his life with this slightly bonkers exhibition (much like the man himself…)


102 years old. Tati would have been 102 this year, exactly the kind of figure we need as an excuse for celebrating his birthday with an exhibition! He would surely have agreed…

Extremely modern for his time – to such an extent that he was misunderstood by some and whilst completely baffling others – Tati fought to impose his style, ruining himself in the process. The disastrous finances of Playtime left him destitute, explaining why we have so few of his films to remember him by. But what films!

The tone of the exhibition is set from the moment you enter the door of the Cinémathèque Française, with the entrance hall specially dressed up Tati style. Then over 650m² you’ll find an explanation of Tati’s mindset, starting with his music-hall background (the origin of the burlesque elements in his films). Also exposed are notebooks where he noted jokes, rare photos, models, costumes, accessories, preparatory drawings and painting, but also numerous clips from his films, an ad that he made for yoghurts and even some deleted scenes from Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot.

Tati’s modernity will also be explained and compared with works by Cartier-Bresson, Will Ronis, Raoul Dufy and Pierre Henry. Plus, filmed interviews with modern film-makers show the continued influence that Tati has, and the deep respect that he inspires to this day: Michel Gondry, Wes Anderson, David Lynch, Olivier Assayas and even Jean Nouvel all talk about him.

The exhibition is also the (great) excuse for a huge number of other events:
– a cycle of Tati’s films and 30-odd others that are close to his universe
– a concert (or ‘sonorama’), « The Tati concert » 10th April à 8pm with Fred Pallem, Le Sacre du Tympan and Mathieu Chedid (15€ / 12€)
– a round table with Macha Makeïeff & Stéphane Goudet (curators of the exhibition), Bruno Podalydès and Sylvain Chomet 11th April at 2.30pm
– a one-day cinema school based around Tati’s work with sound
– a play « Salle des Fêtes » at the Théâtre National de Chaillot from 15th April – 16th May (reduced rate upon presentation of your ticket to the exhibition)
– The décor of the Villa Arpel – the famous house seen in Mon Oncle – rebuilt at arts space “Le 104” (104 rue d’Aubervilliers, 75019), starting 9th APril
– a special Jour de Fête house at Sainte Sévère in the Indre region of France, about three hours’ drive from Paris. Opens 4th April 2009. (www.maisonjourdefete.com)
– a number of conferences
– films and guided tours especially for younger visitors
– a play for all the family (6 years old and up) called “Mon Petit Gérard”, on Sunday 26th April at 3pm (10€ / 8€ / 5€) based on the young man seen in Mon Oncle
– exhibition of photos at the Fnac store in Montparnasse, Ternes, Bordeaux, Lyon Bellecour…
– and a 300-page catalogue of the exhibition, 45€, that you can have signed by the authors Macha Makeïeff & Stéphane Goudet at the Cinémathèque bookshop on 11th April at 4pm

Looks like a great exhibition and some interesting related events. Not to be missed!

Here’s all the essential information for the Tati exhibition at the Cinémathèque française in Paris

When: 8th April – 2nd August 2009
Where: Cinémathèque française, 51 rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris. Métro Bercy (lines 6 & 14). Bus n°s 24, 64, 87
Opening hours: every day except Tuesdays, midday – 7pm (Sundays 10am – 8pm). Late night opening Thursdays until 10pm
Admission: adults 8€, concessions 6,5€, under 18s 4€
More information (in French): www.cinematheque.fr

Bigger map here