(La peine perdue de Jean Eustache, a.k.a. Jean Eustache’s Wasted Breath). This illuminating documentary explores themes of cinema, absence, and mourning as they relate to the films of Jean Eustache. While assorted friends and colleagues comment on Eustache’s character and art, the most revealing insights come from Eustache himself, in writings read aloud by surrogates Jean-Pierre Léaud, Françoise Lebrun, and others. Interleaved with fragments from his films, these articulate observations consider the filmmaker’s role as recorder of his reality, harking back to Lumière.

• Written by Diez. Photographed by Philippe Théaudière. (53 mins, In French with English subtitles, B&W, Beta, From MAE)