About Mon Oncle

'Mon Oncle' is a 1958 comedy film by French filmmaker Jacques Tati. The film serves as a satire on modernist architecture, mechanical efficiency, and consumerism. The film's plot revolves around Monsieur Hulot, a socially awkward but lovable character, who finds himself lost in technocratic abstraction, the modern architecture, and gadgets of his brother-in-law's high-tech mansion. His struggle to fit into this new world without losing his old-world charm makes up the essence of the movie.

Making / Production

The movie was directed by Jacques Tati, who also played the main role. The movie was shot in France, specifically in the new town of Noisy-le-Grand. The filming took place over a period of a few months in 1957 with a budget of approximately FRF 2,500,000. The film's modernist design and the villa's futuristic functionality are considered iconic of that era.

Actors

• Jacques Tati as Monsieur Hulot - The eccentric uncle who struggles with accepting the new world.
• Jean-Pierre Zola as Charles Arpel - The brother-in-law who thrives in his technocratic world.
• Adrienne Servantie as Madame Arpel - Hulot's sister who desperately tries to fit her brother into her modern world.
• Alain Bécourt as Gerard Arpel - The son who enjoys Hulot's company and old-world charm.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The villa in the movie was built specifically for the film, and was demolished after shooting.
• Mon Oncle was the first of Tati's movies to be released in colour.
• The movie features no dialogue in the first 30 minutes.

Awards

The movie won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Quotes

• "The old man is crazy, but he's harmless."
• "My uncle doesn't talk much, but he's very nice."

Music, Soundtrack

• The movie features a musical score composed by Franck Barcellini and Alain Romans, which adds to the satirical mood of the film.