Der Sieger (1922)
Early Animation
•
2m 47s
In this ad for Excelsior tires by Ruttmann, geometric shapes attack but the tire remains undamaged.
Walk into the world of early abstraction with Walther Ruttmann's Der Sieger (1922). This brief, silent animation pushes the boundaries of traditional cinema, exemplifying the spirit of experimental film.
Ruttmann abandons conventional narratives and characters. Instead, the screen comes alive with dynamic geometric shapes – circles, squares, and points. Their movements and interactions create a visual language, suggesting themes of competition and triumph, as hinted at by the film's title, translating to "The Victor" in English.
Der Sieger is a prime example of how experimental films explore the visual potential of cinema. Ruttmann utilizes innovative techniques like stop-motion animation to manipulate the shapes, creating a sense of playfulness and dynamism. The film's abstract nature invites individual interpretation, encouraging viewers to engage with the imagery on a personal level.
Der Sieger stands as a testament to the early days of experimental film. It paved the way for future generations of filmmakers to challenge cinematic norms and explore new ways of storytelling through the power of moving images.
Up Next in Early Animation
-
Anemic Cinema (1926)
Spinning discs & suggestive puns challenge film & language in this Dada masterpiece. Anemic Cinema (1926) by Marcel Duchamp embodies the spirit of experimental film.
Instead of a narrative or actors, the film presents a playful sequence of spinning discs. These discs, called "Rotoreliefs" by Du...
-
Symphonie Diagonale (1923)
Abstract shapes dance across the screen in this early animation that explores movement and rhythm.
Symphonie Diagonale, a groundbreaking 1923 work by Viking Eggeling, abandons traditional storytelling altogether, focusing instead on the visual language of cinema itself. Abstract geometric shape...
-
Fantasmagorie (1908)
A magic hand draws a wacky stick figure on a chalkboard adventure.
Step into the world of early animation with Émile Cohl's Fantasmagorie (1908). This brief film, a whimsical chase featuring a stick-figure clown, is much more than just a cartoon. It's a landmark experiment that pushed the bounda...
