\"Playtime\" headlines Europe and the City panorama

"Playtime," an absurd parody of modern life in cities by famous French director Jacques Tati, premiered at the panorama of European Films about cities yesterday.
 

The panorama entitled "Europe and the City" runs at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival. It is organized by the European Union as part of the cultural activities of the EU Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

The panorama echoes the theme of the Expo, "Better city, Better life." It presents 12 films that made a mark on European cinema. Cities often play the leading role in these films, providing not only superb backdrops and atmosphere but also a complex web of places where the action, intrigues and love affairs can unfold.

According to organizers, these 12 films are all classic masterpieces of European cinema and are being shown for the first time in China during this festival.

The opening film "playtime" was shot in 1968 at a time when European cities were rapidly modernizing and copying the American way of life.

Director Tati himself plays the lunatic character of Hulot that he invented in his previous films. He seems to be desperately seeking his way in a dehumanized city, lost in huge traffic jams, struggling with buildings and things that work against him. His way of acting and filming highlight the absurdity of a life where material progress takes priority over personnel enrichment. He creates comic and or poetic situations from this struggle in a most enjoyable way.

The parallel between the modernization that took place in Europe in the 60s and the one currently taking place in China is obvious. This film also encourages everybody to attach less importance to material wealth.

Famous French director Macha Makeieff also attended the film exhibition\'s press conference yesterday. Makieff, who is a famous specialist of director Tati, introduced the film to the audience from her perspective.