Watching Avant Garde films is always a challenge. Usually the non linear plot structure and the show off camera and editing effects tend to make these films look very silly and pretentious It's as if the filmmaker want's to announce to everyone his crap is art with a capital "A." Taking out of focus pictures and mixing it with shaky photography isn't really my idea of a good time. Menilmontant is kind of a nice exception to this kind of film.
There is actually a plot in this film. The parents of two sisters are brutally axe murdered and the sisters are forced to relocate to Paris They both get romantically involved with the same man. The film ends with a violent death. What made Menilmontant interesting to watch was the technique of the filmmaker Dimitri Kirsanoff. Even with his extreme editing and photography techniques, Kirsanoff kept the story of the relationship of the two sisters in focus. Admittedly the film was melodramatic but it was also very touching at times. Avant Garde films are rarely known for their emotional intimacy or character development. This film was an unusual exception.
The film is only 40 minutes long but it is very layered. Menilmontant uses technique in the service of the story for a change instead of the other way around. A very interesting accomplishment.
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