In the Mining District (1905)

In a mining town, Father and Son descend into the coal mine for another eternity of difficult and dangerous labor....

Director Ferdinand Zecca, long known for short phantasmagoria, instead teams up with fellow Pathe director Lucien Nonguet to tackle a naturalist tale from author Émile Zola. Rather than seeing painted scenery, we are treated to actual outdoor shooting coupled with the most realistic sets of the time. Rather than illuminating fantastic creatures and eerie enchantments, Zecca instead used his expertise in camera effects to simulate a Firedamp explosion, flash burns and sudden floods. I won't lie to you,the ending isn't a very happy one...nevertheless this 13 minute feature held every bit of my attention, and made me painfully aware of the harrowing conditions of French miners in the early 20th century, which is the exact stated reason the Pathe directors made this film. Silent, B&W.