William Novik

A cross-cultural study of child-rearing in India, France, Japan, and Canada, observing how family practices around a one-year-old reflect broader cultural values, with commentary by Margaret Mead.

Drawing exclusively from illuminated manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries held by the French National Library, this short documentary presents a medieval vision of life—from Creation and birth through labor, pleasure, death, and the Day of Judgment. Constructed as a visual essay, the film treats manuscript illumination as a complete worldview rather than illustration alone. Screened in competition at the 1949 Cannes Film Festival, it won the Prize for Best Colour.

A cross-cultural study of child-rearing in India, France, Japan, and Canada, observing how family practices around a one-year-old reflect broader cultural values, with commentary by Margaret Mead.

Drawing exclusively from illuminated manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries held by the French National Library, this short documentary presents a medieval vision of life—from Creation and birth through labor, pleasure, death, and the Day of Judgment. Constructed as a visual essay, the film treats manuscript illumination as a complete worldview rather than illustration alone. Screened in competition at the 1949 Cannes Film Festival, it won the Prize for Best Colour.