Name: Finis Terrae Director: Jean Epstein Studio: Société Générale de Films Starring: Jean-Marie Laot, Ambroise Rouzic, François Morin, Gibois, Malgorn Release Date: 1929 (France) Runtime: 80 minutes Format: Black-and-white, silent film Country: France Language: Silent (French intertitles) Genres: | Drama | Silent Film | Docudrama | Maritime | --- Summary: Finis Terrae (Latin for "End of the Earth") is a 1929 French silent drama directed by Jean Epstein. The film portrays the lives of four fishermen stationed on the remote island of Bannec off the coast of Brittany, where they harvest seaweed for three months. Tensions arise when one of the men, Ambroise, injures his thumb during a quarrel, leading to an infection. As his condition worsens, the group faces challenges in seeking medical help due to the island's isolation and adverse weather conditions. The narrative explores themes of survival, human resilience, and the harsh realities of life in a remote maritime environment. --- Background: Jean Epstein, a prominent figure in French Impressionist cinema, was captivated by the Breton coastline and its communities. Finis Terrae is the first of his semi-documentary films set in this region, blending narrative storytelling with documentary techniques. Epstein utilized non-professional actors from the local community to enhance the film's authenticity. The production was shot on location on the islands of Bannec and Ushant, capturing the rugged natural landscapes and the daily lives of the fishermen. The film's style is characterized by its poetic realism and innovative cinematography, reflecting Epstein's fascination with the interplay between humans and nature. --- Trivia: * The film was produced by Société Générale de Films and is considered one of Epstein's significant contributions to early French cinema. * Finis Terrae is noted for its realistic portrayal of life on the Breton islands, using local non-professional actors to add authenticity to the narrative. * The film's title, "Finis Terrae," refers to the Latin name for the region of Finistère, meaning "End of the Earth," highlighting the film's exploration of remote and isolated communities. * Epstein's use of slow-motion sequences and close-up shots was innovative for its time, adding a lyrical quality to the film's depiction of nature and human emotion. --- Hashtags: \#FinisTerrae #JeanEpstein #SilentFilm #FrenchCinema #Docudrama #MaritimeDrama #Brittany #FilmHistory #FrenchImpressionism #NonProfessionalActors