Le printemps
R: Louis Feuillade. D: Henri Duval, Christiane Mandelys, Maurice Vinot. P: Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont. Fr 1909

The episodes:
The Awakening of the Source / The Awakening of Nests / On the ponds / The Love Conductor / The Becqué / In orchards / The games and the reefs / Floreal

“Le printemps (1909) (‘Spring’) is a short film, showing nymphs and mythological beings joyfully welcoming Spring. (…) Its images of women dancing anticipate the ballet in Les Vampires, and Irma Vep’s dance in front of the Vampire gang to celebrate her recovery. Dancing is seen as an expression of the life force. The wings on some of the fairy women also anticipate the winged bat costume in Les Vampires. The nymph of the spring in the opening shot of Le printemps recalls the association of women and moving water in Judex: Musidora near the water mill, and later the good gal swimmer known as ‘The Water Goddess’. Feuillade also shows the interest in myths and legends, that used to play such a role in Western culture. A look at folk myths and classical legend like Le printemps shows the deep vitality of such traditions, and their ability to evoke nature.”
Michael E. Grost

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