''Dream and Reality'' (french: Rêve et réalité) is a 1901 French silent

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

directed by

Ferdinand Zecca Ferdinand Zecca (19 February 1864 – 23 March 1947) was a Innovator, pioneer French film director, film producer, actor and screenwriter. He worked primarily for the Pathé company, first in artistic endeavors then in administration of the inter ...

and distributed in France by Pathé Frères. The film depicts a man flirting with a pretty young woman suddenly waking up in bed next to his ugly wife.Review and link to watch the film:

Plot

A well-dressed man pours a glass of Champagne for a young woman who is sitting with him at a dining table. She's costumed, wearing a mask and cape. He removes the mask and cape, revealing a smiling beauty. He takes her in his arms to kiss her; she cooperates. This view is replaced by one of an old couple in bed, he kissing her, she enthusiastically willing. The man is not happy to be back in reality.IMDB: Rêve et réalité (1901)
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Production and Distribution

The film was shot on 9 July 1901. It was distributed in France and Brazil, as well as in the United States and Russia.

Analysis

The film is a remake

George Albert Smith George Albert Smith Sr. (April 4, 1870 – April 4, 1951) was an American religious leader who served as the eighth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Early life Born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territor ...

's 1900 film ''

Let Me Dream Again ''Let Me Dream Again'' is a 1900 British Short film, short silent film, silent drama film, directed by George Albert Smith (inventor), George Albert Smith, featuring a man dreaming about an attractive young woman and then waking up next to his ...

'' Both films are composed of two shots, the first one showing the dream and the second the reality. However, an important difference is the technique used to show the transition from dream to reality. Smith used focus pulling to let the first shot slip out of focus before cutting to the second shot, which starts off out of focus and gradually sharpens. Zecca on the other hand seems to have been the first director to use a dissolve to show a smooth transition between dream and reality.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0258104
et réalité (1901) Dream and Reality''
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A Cinema History

''Rêve et réalité – Zecca / Ferdinand – 1901''
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Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé
(in French) 1901 films French comedy films French silent short films French black-and-white films 1901 short films Films directed by Ferdinand Zecca Silent comedy films