Déjeuner du Chat

About This Movie

Déjeuner du Chat is quite the curious little piece from 1895. It’s just a boy and a cat, simple as that, but there’s a charm in the mundane, you know? The pacing is unhurried, almost like it’s inviting you to savor the moment – the boy carefully setting down the milk for the cat, who’s lost in its own world of self-grooming. It feels like a slice of life, capturing a fleeting interaction that’s almost poetic in its stillness. The absence of a known director adds a layer of mystery, making the viewing experience feel even more intimate, like you’ve stumbled upon a personal artifact of the past. There’s something refreshing about its rawness, a glimpse into a time when cinema was just beginning to explore everyday life.

While not widely circulated, Déjeuner du Chat does pop up now and then among collectors, usually on early film compilations. Its historical value is significant, as it showcases the very beginnings of documentary filmmaking. The scarcity of original prints makes it a bit of a treasure for those who appreciate the raw, unembellished storytelling that early cinema offered.