Rose Lumière

An appreciation of Film in the form of a collage.

Likely in June 1897, a group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.

Swimmers jump into the water from the docks, as a small boat passes by.

Three women get in a horse-drawn carriage, as servants load luggage on the roof, before it pulls away.

Friends and relatives playing a game of boules, arguing about who's team is winning.

On the terrace of a villa, a violinist, two pianists and a singer are playing, until they are interrupted by a false note.

A man and a woman, observed by others, are playing a game of Tric-trac, a French variant of Backgammon. During the course of the game, the man gets caught red-handed, which results in him closing the game board.