Classics: Jour de fête

For the astonished villagers, a documentary is shown about the modern, automated methods of the American postal service. Inspired by this image of efficiency, François, the local postman, decides to carry out his deliveries in the same fast and forward-thinking manner as his American counterpart. With his old bicycle and strong determination, he tries to drastically speed up his work, inevitably leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and physical mishaps in the village. The film has also been restored in 4K, bringing the colourful rural world, the physical comedy, and Tati’s meticulous mise-en-scène back to life with renewed clarity and detail. In essence, Jour de fête marks the starting point of Tati’s thematic universe: a humorous yet critical look at modernisation through the eyes of ordinary people trying to keep up with an ever-accelerating world.