Le sourire vertical 1973

A kaleidoscope of images from history populate this skillfully animated French feature. The story concerns a history professor whose ideas about human history cause him distress. Amid a flurry of newsreel-type images, Joan of Arc's trial is shown. Another theme which emerges is of two ages (in the far past and far future) in which naked humans fight one another with animalistic aggression.

Cast:

Françoise Brion
Lennie 

François Perrot
Relde 

Henri Serre
Tablo 

Olivier Hussenot
Doux Donnie 

Jean-Pierre Mocky
Franco, le prêtre borgne 

André Chaumeau
Le voyeur 

• The Vertical Smile