Tit-for-Tat (La Peine du Talion)

France, 1906. Director Gaston Velle, Pathé Frères. 4min 30sec.

Gloriously winged insects seek revenge for the injustices brought about by the popular practice of lepidoptery: the catching of butterflies and moths for the purpose of scientific observation. Velle’s richly coloured film is one of the finest examples of its kind.

Past screenings

Birds of Paradise – London
Friday 3 December 2010, 18:30 | Tate Modern
Presented as a part of the programme ‘Underground Opulence.’ With live musical accompaniment by Stephen Horne.

Birds of Paradise – New York
Friday 15 April 2011, 19:00 | Museum of the Moving Image
Presented as a part of the programme ‘Underground Opulence.’

Grounded: Fashion’s Entanglements with Nature – London
Friday 30 May 2025, 19:00 | Barbican, Cinema 1
With live musical accompaniment. Followed by a panel discussion with Musarc and curators Marketa Uhlirova and Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi. Moderated by festival co-curator Dal Chodha.