The Idea (1932 film)

The Idea
A woman, representing an idea, confronts a crowd of workers.
Directed by	Berthold Bartosch
Written by	Frans Masereel Berthold Bartosch
Based on	The Idea by Frans Masereel
Produced by	Kurt Wolff Carl Koch Frans Masereel
Cinematography	Walter Türck Franz Planer
Music by	Arthur Honegger
Production company	Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
Release date	1932 (1932)
Running time	25 minutes
Country	France
Language	Silent

The Idea (French: L'Idée) is a 1932 French animated film by Austro-Hungarian filmmaker Berthold Bartosch (1893–1968), based on the 1920 wordless novel of the same name by Flemish artist Frans Masereel (1889–1972). The protagonist is a naked woman who represents a thinker's idea; as she goes out into the world, the frightened authorities unsuccessfully try to cover up her nudity. A man who stands up for her is executed, and violent suppression by big business greets a workers' revolution she inspires.

Bartosch spent two years animating the film, initially in collaboration with Masereel. Bartosch used complicated techniques with multiple layers of superimposed animation to create the intricately detailed film. The film features an electronic music score by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger (1892–1955), possibly the earliest in film history.^[1]