EAUX D’ARTIFICE (director/writer: Kenneth Anger; cinematographer: Kenneth Anger; editor: Kenneth Anger; music: Vivaldi; cast: Carmillo Salvatorelli(Lady); Runtime: 13; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Kenneth Anger; Mystic Fire Video; 1953)
“The most aesthetically pleasing of Anger’s shorts.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The title combines the French words for “water” and “fireworks”, in legendary underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger’s (“Scorpio Rising”/”Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome”/”Lucifer Rising”) gushing Tivoli Fountains pic that follows the music of Vivaldi’s “Winter” movement of “The Four Seasons.” The trippy short has the elegantly dressed water witch (Carmillo Salvatorelli) dance around in the fountain until she dissolves as one with the fountain. Beautifully shot in natural light, the plotless short achieves greatness because of its sensational technical achievements. I couldn’t take my eyes off its dazzling counterpoints between the gushing water and the light. It was the most aesthetically pleasing of Anger’s shorts.

REVIEWED ON 3/30/2013 GRADE: B+

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”

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