An octopus slithers over objects on land—a doll, a skull—then oozes along the shore into the sea. It secretes its ink. The camera follows it along rocks into deeper water, watching closely as it breathes. Its eye is closed then open. Simple titles, in French and German, suggest what to watch. The octopus alternates the use of breathing tubes on either side. It changes color as cells on its skin contract or dilate. Extreme magnification helps us see these changes. Two struggle, one dies. On shore, fishermen catch them and put them in pails. A single tentacle still has life. Back in the sea, two octopi attack a crab. Soon only a couple of crab legs are visible in the mouth of the victor.
Directed by Jean Painlevé
octopus
silent film
nature documentary
marine life
documentary short
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.5 / 5
Crew
Jean Painlevé
Director
Popular Reviews
8 reviews
ConniePRO
5.0★ · 05/08/26
leave him alone 😠 he’s a friend :(
leave him alone 😠 he’s a friend :(
Connor
This film is lowkey so much more sad when you remember how smart octopi are
This film is lowkey so much more sad when you remember how smart octopi are
RACLETTE
3.0★ · 12/12/23
J'ai même pas compris ce que je regardais
J'ai même pas compris ce que je regardais
lik
4.4★ · 12/24/21
i stand by the opinion that octopi are aliens
i stand by the opinion that octopi are aliens
Paco Casado
8.0★ · 08/23/16
Se puede ver como un documental primitivo. Se puede ver como una obra practicamente abstracta si olvidamos que estamos viendo a un animal realmente feo.
Se puede ver como un documental primitivo. Se puede ver como una obra practicamente abstracta si olvidamos que estamos viendo a un animal realmente feo.