Lost Frames
In the autumn of 1890, pioneering filmmaker Louis Le Prince mysteriously disappears while traveling from Dijon to Paris to unveil his groundbreaking films. As his family and friends grapple with his sudden absence, they become entangled in a web of conspiracy, suspicion, and competing theories that surround his fate. While some suspect foul play from rivals like Thomas Edison, others fear a family dispute over an inheritance may have led to his vanishing act. Through poignant flashbacks and intense dialogues, the novella captures the profound impact of his disappearance on those left behind, while exploring the delicate line between ambition and obsession in the world of early cinema.
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Chapters
Each chapter is one beat of the novela. Listen to the audio above, or read the prose below.
The Unraveling Dream
The novella opens in the vibrant world of early cinema, showcasing Louis Le Prince's latest achievements and his relationships with family and friends. As he prepares to travel to Paris for a film exhibition, hints of his innovative spirit and ambitions are revealed.
Three days before the train to Paris, Louis Le Prince stood in his Leeds workshop with a strip of celluloid held against the window, and the afternoon came through it in amber squares. Sixteen frames per second. A woman in a long dress walk…
Read the full novela in long form.