While I eagerly anticipate his next film, the Mysterious Adrian Betamax distracts me with La Promenade des Papillons, a delightful silent short about the adventures of a girl and her butterflies. Director Josie Basford deftly harnesses the Maggie Gyllenhaal-esque charms of her leading lady and pieces together stunning images in a witty narrative. A bonus layer of giddy at recognizing the historic Echo Park setting, home of cinema before Hollywood was “Hollywood,” and near my former home too. (The hilltop encounter at the end reminds me of scaling the Effie Street slope on many a whimsical walk with Gordon.)
Rumor has it the director has come to this neck of the woods, and indeed, folks in Eugene have the opportunity to watch La Promenade des Papillons today at the Eugene Celebration film festival during the 5 p.m. DIVA Center show (same theater that was ground zero for the Earth Day premiere!)
Lillian Lavender’s stroll is strange I can believe in. I encourage you all to check it out!
Wow, that was fun!
I especially liked the mustache twirling and eyebrow raising. Also the varied, creative ways the heroine responds to the viliain and their result. The jaunty ending is very nice too.
I had to go back to see the “hill” you mention as it seems to be in the background behind and below them. I was expecting them to walk up it.
Thanks for a light respite and smiles!!!
Raspberry diplomacy — I love it! Are leashes harmful to butterflies? Didn’t see anything in the end credits about “no butterflies were harmed during this production.” I can see the similarity to Maggie Gyllenhaal. Mary thinks the villain looks a bit like Johnny Depp. Have a restful weekend!