Les Statues Meurent Aussi / Statues Also Die (1953) by Alain Resnais & Chris Marker

The French essay film “Statues Also Die” (1953), directed by Chris Marker and Alain Resnais, centers itself around about historical African art and doubles as a critique of French colonialism. The narrator focuses on the emotional qualities of the objects, and discusses the perception of African sculptures from a historical and contemporary European perspective. Chris Marker, stated, “We want to see their suffering, serenity, humor, even though we don’t know anything about them.” Their film shows what happens when art loses its connection to a culture. Consequently the film was banned by French censors for more than 10 years because of its political content even though it received the prestigious Prix Jean Vigo in 1954.

Directed by Alain Resnais and Chris Marker

Narrated by Jean Negroni

Cinematography by Ghislain Cloquet

Music by Guy Bernard

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