The Big Departure

About This Movie

The Big Departure is a fascinating anomaly in the early '70s cinema landscape, brought to life by Martial Raysse, known more for his art than for filmmaking. It’s a seamless blend of drama and fantasy, yet it largely eschews traditional narrative structure, which can be off-putting for some but liberating for others. The pacing is dreamlike, meandering through bizarre landscapes as we follow a cat man—it's like diving into a surreal painting that shifts and morphs. The practical effects are delightfully strange, embodying the era's avant-garde spirit. Performances are more about embodying moods than delivering lines, which adds to the overall atmosphere. It's a rarity for collectors, partly due to its limited release and the director's unique background.

The Big Departure remains a rarity, especially in original formats, as its limited release and niche appeal have kept it out of the mainstream collector's radar. The film has seen only a handful of home video releases, making it somewhat scarce. Collector interest is rising slowly, particularly among those who appreciate avant-garde cinema and the intersections of visual art and film.