Quebec cinémathèque showcases its new cinematic creation
Get ready for Cinémathèque Québécoise's International Film Preservation Extravaganza!
From April 27 to May 2, the Cinémathèque Québécoise will host the very first International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) event in its history. Some 300 professionals, hailing from every nook and cranny of the world, will descend upon Montreal for this six-day cinematic bash.
"It's a big deal for us, for Québec," says Marcel Jean, the institution's director, fresh from a stint in France. "We were founding members of this organization, and hosting this gathering shows that we're an integral part of a massive global community. It broadens our perspective on cinema and fuels our creativity."
According to Guillaume Lafleur, the Cinémathèque's programming director, attendees will hail from all corners of the world—from Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Latin America, to name a few. Typically, these events take place in the European city-limelights, but not this time around.
"It's different here," Lafleur explains. "By hosting, we can build connections with countries like Brazil, which could lead to presenting films to audiences that otherwise might've remained unseen. It's a golden opportunity for cinema in Québec."
A Celebration of Archives and Artistry
The Cinémathèque pull out all the stops during events like these, and the FIAF Congress is no exception. Throughout the week, screenings will place the spotlight on the Cinémathèque's collections and mission, showcasing gems of animation cinema, world premiere commissioned works, freshly restored narratives, and documentaries dedicated to heritage matters and the reutilization of archives.
This gathering also spotlights the invaluable role archives play in the world of cinema. As Lafleur points out, more and more films are being created using archival footage. "You've probably seen this practice since the early days of TV in the '50s and '60s. They compiled memorable moments from their recordings. With the digital age and time marching on, the possibilities have only grown."
In the lead-up to the FIAF Congress, the Cinémathèque presents six original works crafted from archival documents. Six artists from the experimental scene and animation world were entrusted with breathing new life into these vintage Soviet films, which the Cinémathèque recently acquired from a collector. These short films, as well as their creators, will be unveiled during the event.
Archives Adorn the Exhibit Halls
The exhibit halls showcase treasures from the Cinémathèque's collection. The public can appreciate photographs by Jacques Dufresne, taken between 1980 and 2000, which capture notables such as Jim Jarmusch, Agnès Varda, and local filmmakers. A new exhibition called The New Cinemas is also on display, featuring Dufresne's work, previously presented in a book highlighted by Wim Wenders.
As a bonus, the Cinémathèque presents an exhibition of scouting photographs and a slideshow with photos by Bruno Massenet, who witnessed Quebec cinema on-set and as a reporter. Groupings like these emphasize the undeniable truth: cinema doesn't exist or make sense without its archives.
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Bonus Video:
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- The International Film Preservation Extravaganza, hosted by the Cinémathèque Québécoise, will feature attendees from various French-speaking countries such as François from France.
- During the FIAF Congress, there will be a celebration of the conception and restoration of movies and TV shows, showcasing the works of renowned directors like Eisenstein, Marina de Van, and Agnès Varda.
- From April 27 to May 2, the Cinémathèque Québécoise will hold meetings with professionals from all over the globe, including Latin America, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, to discuss the importance of movie archives and the reutilization of historical films.
- In addition to screenings, the Cinémathèque's exhibit halls will contain French cinematography-related artifacts, such as photographs of famous French and Canadian filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and Denys Arcand.
