LOTTE REINIGER - HOMAGE TO THE INVENTOR OF THE SILHOUETTE FILM

Lotte Reiniger made an invaluable contribution to early cinema and this enlightening documentary examines the life of this pioneering German animator. Born on the eve of the 20th century, Reiniger became the leading practitioner of silhouette animation, creating many stunning short and feature length animated films. Through rare archival footage, we are led through Reiniger's professional life, beginning with her student days in Berlin, where she designed silhouettes for intertitles in Paul Wegener's films. After refining special techniques for silhouette animation, she made her first short film, Das Ornament des Verliebten in 1918. Six years later she conceived and directed the world's first full-length animated film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (see elsewhere in Animatrix). Relocating to England after WW2, Reiniger made numerous popular feature length films, including Aladdin (1951), The Frog Prince (1954), Hansel and Gretel (1955), Cinderella (1963) and The Rose and Ring (1979). Homage to the Inventor of the Silhouette Film is a joyous account of a legend of screen animation.