LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE

Georges Mlis, 1902

Kristina Botinova

Georges Mlis Le Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip To The Moon),

1902, is one of the best know films made by Mlis, ranked on 84th
place by The Village Voice 20th century. It is known as one of the
first science fiction movies. This short black and white silent film,
follows the adventure of a group of astronomers who travel to the
Moon in their desire to explore it, led by Mlis himself in the main
role of Professor Barbenfouillis. The moment when their spaceship
literally hits the Moon in its eye is one of the most memorable
moments in the history of cinema. Another unique thing about this
short movie is that it is filmed in the overtly theatrical style for which
its director became famous.
This short production is inspired by a wide range of sources,
including Jules Verne's novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around
the Moon. Also Jacques Offenbach's operetta Le voyage dans la
lune (an unauthorized parody of Verne's novels) and the A Trip to
the Moon attraction at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo,
New York.

The movie starts off in a room with a group

of scientists, which by the look of the room
they are situated in, are astronomers. It can
be seen that their robes have stars, the room
has models of planets and solar systems.
There is a big telescope looking through the
window of the room and at the dashboard
we see a figure of a planet. Every element
of this room is there with the right idea and
mission.

After their discussion is over, they feel rejoiced

about what will come next. We find the process
of constructing something that may be the
product of the earlier discussion. What we are
witnessing is workers bringing the astronomers
plans into reality.

What makes an impression while the men are boarding

their spacecraft is its shape which is a bullet capsule. This
gives an metaphorical idea of fast as a bullet. The next
interesting and quite imaginary thing is the way the space
capsule is being sent out in space, via cannon. This cannon
is fired up with the help of young women dressed up in
sailors outfits, which appear to be the marines.

And we finally arrive at the notorious moment when the explorers arrive at the moon, which greets
them with somehow supercilious look. Not believing, nor expecting that they would reach it. The way
the moon looks, gives the impression of something unreachable. The Moon has been proven in few
moments that its not as untouchable as it though it was, agonizing from the space-bullet stuck in its
eye. Upon landing, Mlis in the role of Professor Barbenfouillis leads us into unfamiliar and never
before explored world, which gives space for the imagination to roam free.

Successfully arrived on the surface of the Moon, the astronomers are now
astronauts. Amazed with their achievement, the men wave to the Earth which
slowly moves away from the scene. On this new world our adventurers
encounter the creatures that inhabit it. What is interesting is the way this new
and unseen world is brought in front of the camera. Its a place with similar
nature, what makes it different at first look are the aliens and their behaviour.
This brings the idea of humanity shown in a different perspective. The interior
of the palace that the astronomers enter after being captured as intruders is
rich on details, helping to create the mood of this scene and to distinguish its
difference.

After taking the life of the aliens leader the astronomers manage to escape taking one of Moons
inhabitants with them. Back at Earth they are welcomed as heroes together with their trophy a man
from the Moon.

Interesting thing about the way each scene shows different mood and situation is that everything in it has
logic and place, in order to make this imaginary world more realistic. What is even more admiring is
that with simplicity and the lack of any actual speech, Georges Mlis managed to make the audience
experience this entertaining and exciting adventure, creating a shot movie that is even nowadays being
looked at as one of the greatest productions in the history of cinema.