Jacques Tati
(1907-1982), of his true name J.Taticheff, discovered his heart of comic as from 1930 whereas it carries out his first spectacles for the annual review of « Racing Club de France ». He then leaves in round with his variety turn “Impressions Sportives”. He passes from the variety to the cinema in the capacity of actor and scenario writer in 4 short films: Oscar champion de tennis (unfinished), On demande un brute (1934) Gai dimanche (1935), Soigne ton gauche (1936). His 5th short film, l’Ecole des facteurs (1946) mark the true beginning of his career since he makes the realization of it. It is to some extent the draft of the first feature-length film of Tati, Jour de Fête. It will continue to meet a great success with Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot (1953) and My Uncle (1958, Oscar of best foreign film). Tati is devoted everywhere in the world. But, after the failure of Playtime in 1967, he cumulates the debts and will carry out nothing any more but two other films: Traffic (1971) and Parades (1974). Jacques Tati dies on November 4, 1982, leaving unfinished his last project: Confusion.
Tati and Sainte-Sévère
Taken refuge during the Occupation close to Sainte-Sévère, Jacques Tati works with his friend Henri Marquet with the scenario of his first feature-length film Jour de Fête. In May 1947, the inhabitants had the surprise to see Jacques Tati arriving with technicians, actors and material of turning. Having a reduced budget, the scenario writer uses the whole of the villagers. With the image of the fun fair which comes to animate the peaceful village of film, the turning of Jour de Fête constituted, the time of a summer, a festival of each day and mobilized all the inhabitants of the village, happy and proud to take part in this not very common adventure.