The Woman Who Powders Herself (French: La Femme qui se poudre) is a 1972 French black-and-white experimental horror short film written, produced, and directed by Patrick Bokanowski. The short film, which contains no dialogue, follows a cast of masked figures (similar to those of Bokanowski's later 1982 feature film L'Ange) engaging in a series of outlandish acts.[1]
| The Woman Who Powders Herself | |
|---|---|
 A still from the film depicting a sphinx in a barren wasteland | |
| French | La Femme qui se poudre |
| Directed by | Patrick Bokanowski |
| Written by | Patrick Bokanowski |
| Produced by | Patrick Bokanowski |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Daniel Bard |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Michèle Bokanowski |
Production company | Kira B.M. Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 18 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
Synopsis
editA group of uncanny figures wearing crude, disfigured masks are portrayed occupying themselves with a variety of unconnected tasks, set to an unsettling film score. One of the figures is seen removing pieces of cloth from a well whilst a scarecrow mocks them. Another—the titular character—applies makeup to her "face" as she prepares to go out with an accompanying figure. A figure exits their house and wanders a vast wasteland as an arabesque song plays, encountering an ancient Egyptian style sphinx statue. Two figures accompany each other, one lying on their deathbed. A physical altercation occurs between a gathering of figures at a dinner table.
Film print
editThe short film's original 35 mm print was purchased by the Centre Pompidou in 1993, and is currently stored in Level 4 of its Musée National d'Art Moderne.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Coulthart, John (May 13, 2013). "La Femme qui se poudre". johncoulthart.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "La Femme qui se poudre". Centre Pompidou. September 25, 2024. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2024.