La Commune: a reader

“In 1999, exiled British film director Peter Watkins completed La Commune, a 5 hour 45 minute epic reconstruction of the 1871 Paris Commune. In its mixture of steely radicalism and artistic experimentalism, La Commune is arguably the most important European film since the days of the great modernist cinematic provocateurs such as Eisenstein and Vertov.” - Michael Wayne

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the suppression of the Paris Commune, ALT/KINO presents the 220m theatrical version of Peter Watkins extraordinary, and oft-overlooked, television work La Commune (Paris, 1871).

To complement the film, we have curated a selection of resources that interact in some way with La Commune (Paris, 1871), the Paris Commune itself, Peter Watkins’ work more broadly, other films with formal or thematic connections, and related social and cultural ideas - with a particular focus on community and progressiveness in the visual arts. We present these resources largely without comment to allow people to follow links and discover in their own manner and time to allow these varied voices to speak for themselves.

We would really love to hear your thoughts on the film and any reflections inspired by the various other materials. Tag us in your reactions on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) or by dropping us an email.