Every Little Thing

(aka 'Every Little Thing')

Directed by Nicolas Philibert
USA 1997

In the summer of 1995, French documentarist Nicolas Philibert shot the rehearsals for an outdoor performance of Witold Gombrowicz's Operetta at a psychiatric clinic in La Bord; the film that resulted was released the following year. As in Philibert's other documentaries, his uncoercive respect for the participants registers almost immediately; he wants us to get to know these performers as people rather than as patients, even though the mood is periodically one of amiable chaos. A couple of the most interesting moments arise when patients address the filmmaker directly; the second time this happens, he's identified as a representative of "society"--meaning us.

Excerpt from Jonathan Rosenbaum's capsule at the Chicago Reader located HERE

***

The protagonists in this film are the patients and staff at the La Borde psychiatric institute in France. Each summer they perform a play on a stage set in the beautiful grounds of the chateau. The film charts the passage of this magical event and allows the viewer a glimpse at life in one of the world’s most highly regarded psychiatric institutions.

Philibert, director of the hugely-acclaimed Etre et avoir and In the Land of the Deaf, calmly and compassionately builds an experience that is less like watching a documentary than like being enveloped in a book of breathlessly honest poetry. He delicately celebrates the work of La Borde and quietly makes us question the distinctions that society applies in classifying as normal or abnormal.

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Theatrical Release: March 5th, 1997

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DVD Review: Second Run DVD - Region 2 - PAL

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Second Run DVD - Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	Approx. 1:40:00
Video	1.66:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: ? mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
Audio	French (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Second Run DVD Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.66:1 Edition Details: • Introduction by critic Geoff Andrew (12:00) • Liner notes booklet features interview with Nicolas Philibert DVD Release Date: May 1st, 2006 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

Second Run have brought us another fabulous film experience on digital. As with their Land of the Deaf (also by Philibert) the image looks very much akin to the manner in which it was shot. The occasional haziness and imperfect framing are a function of the production process. The DVD looks to have an un-manipulated image, bright colors, correct aspect ratio (the elusive 1.66), progressive and it is anamorphic. The removable subtitles are excellent as are the extras; an introduction to the film by critic Geoff Andrew and a liner notes interview with Philibert. The documentary is as impacting as Philibert's others and it really deserves a large audience. We recommend!

Gary W. Tooze

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