Jour de fête (4K Restoration)

Although Jacques Tati (1907–1982) made only six feature films, he is considered one of the most important and innovative post-war filmmakers. As director, writer, producer, and leading actor, he created a timeless body of work filled with affectionate details, perfect timing, and subtle, silent humour.

From Thursday 30 July, you can enjoy six weeks dedicated to the timeless work of this unique filmmaker. All six of his feature films will be shown on the big screen in beautifully restored versions.

Jour de fête takes place in the rural village of Sainte-Sévère, where a travelling fair arrives with caravans, a carousel, and a mobile cinema. To the astonishment of the villagers, the cinema screens a documentary about the modern, automated methods of the American postal service. Inspired by this image of efficiency, François, the local postman, decides to deliver his mail with the same speed and innovation as his American counterparts. With his old bicycle and great determination, he attempts to dramatically accelerate his work, inevitably leading to a series of comic misunderstandings and physical mishaps throughout the village.

The film has also been restored in 4K, bringing the colourful village setting, physical comedy, and Tati’s meticulous mise-en-scène to life with renewed clarity and detail. At its core, Jour de fête marks the beginning of Tati’s thematic universe: a humorous yet critical view of modernisation, seen through the eyes of ordinary people trying to keep pace with a world that is constantly speeding up.