Return to Reason

Return to Reason is the title of the first, legendary avant garde film directed by Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky). On the 100th anniversary of its premiere, four works of this American photographer and filmmaker were digitally reconstructed, and new, surprising music was recorded by the founders of SQÜRL: indie cinema genius Jim Jarmush and Carter Logan. The set premiered at last year’s Cannes film festival. It’s a terrific mix of timeless experimental cinema – drawing from surrealism and dadaism, full of visual surprises, geometric turns, and sophisticated symbolism – with a disturbing, hypnotizing modern soundtrack. A classic was given a new formal and sound frame, becoming one of the year’s most important events. In the set, along with Return to Reason (1923), we will also see Emak Bakia (1926), The Mysteries of the Chateau of the Dice (1929) and The Starfish (1928). 

Marcin Pieńkowski

Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky, 1890–1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in Paris. He contributed significantly to the Dada and Surrealist movements, although his ties to each were informal. He produced major works in various media but considered himself a painter above all. He was best known for experimental photography, and was a renowned fashion and portrait photographer. Man Ray directed a number of avant-garde short films that are part of a movement known as cinéma pur.

The restoration process was led by Womanray and Cinenovo sourcing original prints from various parts of the world, in partnership with La Cinémathèque française, the Centre Pompidou, the Library of Congress, the French CNC and Cineteca di Bologna.