For his final film, Jacques Tati takes his camera to the circus, where the director himself serves as master of ceremonies. Though it features many spectacles, including clowns, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, and more, Parade also focuses on the spectators, making this stripped-down work a testament to the communion between audience and entertainment.
Direction
Tati dissolves the fourth wall entirely—you're complicit now.
Cinematography
Faces in the crowd become the real acrobats.
Director
Jacques Tati
Jacques Tati
Monsieur Loyal
Pia Colombo
Elle-même
Bertil Berglund
Circus performer
Moniqa Sunnerberg
Circus performer
Dominique Lavanant
(uncredited)
Michael Mansson
Flamenco Dancer (uncredited)
Jan Nygren
Circus Manager (voice) (uncredited)
Janne Schaffer
Guitar Player (uncredited)
Janne 'Loffe' Carlsson
Drummer (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tati financed this himself using profits from Playtime, then lost everything when it flopped. He died bankrupt.
Shot on video for Swedish television in 1974, this 'film' barely exists in traditional cinematic form—Tati was already obsolete and knew it.
FR
