Review by JoeytheBrit

The simplicity of Le cauchemar de Fantoche gives it a kind of timelessness that is unique for a film so old (for any film in fact - ones that once seemed fresh and original can quickly becomes dated). It consists of a series of sketches drawn in white line on a black background, and the stream of consciousness format of the unfolding images also lends it a surreal air that makes it fascinating to watch. It's also quite puzzling, and it would be easy to over-analyse what we see in order to make some sense of it all when the only thing Cohl was probably trying to do was create a piece of entertainment. Whatever you think about that, you probably will be entertained by this brief oddity.