So what happens when two outstanding directors meet in Paris, discuss Plato, and decide to make a film? An Urban Allegory (or Allégorie citadine in French) is a 21-minute cinematic journey that debuted at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2024. It blends philosophy, city life, and a hint of youthful wonder in a short film that is already making waves.
What’s An Urban Allegory All About?
Imagine Plato’s classic Allegory of the Cave with a twist. The film reimagines the classic philosophical story through the eyes of a seven-year-old boy named Jay. Plato’s original depicts humanity confined inside a dark cave, watching shadows play on the walls and assuming that is all there is to existence. Imagine Jay breaking free from his metaphorical bindings and heading outside the cave. What does he find? That’s where An Urban Allegory begins, plunging into a city’s secret depths and the illusions we all face daily.
What’s the Release Date?
You might have to wait a bit if you weren’t at the Venice Film Festival, where it debuted on September 1, 2024. But keep an eye out for this French gem to pop up in more places soon.
Credits
Directed and Written by: Alice Rohrwacher, JR
Starring: Lyna Khoudri, Naïm El Kaldaoui, and Leos Carax
Based on: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Cinematography: Daria D’Antonio
Running Time: 21 minutes
Language: French
Country: France
Release Date: September 1st, 2024 (Venice)
This isn’t your average philosophical talk. Directors Alice Rohrwacher and JR inject new life into this classic tale, combining a ballet of visuals with the rush and bustle of city life. “What if we all turned together towards the exit of the cave?” they ask. It’s about breaking free together, not just individually. The film goes into the magic of images, and how they can be false shadows and tools for liberation. In addition, they inject some genuine Parisian flair, transforming a philosophical subject into an urban journey.
