A dive into the genesis of cinema with “Lumière! », at the Galaxy of Châteaubernard

Initially, the association wanted to project the complete diptych dedicated to the two brothers, Auguste and Louis, with at 6 p.m., the first part “Light!” The adventure begins”, then immediately, the second part “Light! The adventure continues.” “Finally, we changed the program a little, because it turns out that the two films are very similar with sketches in common, so we will only show one,” warns Nicole Cornibert, the president of Eurociné.

The evening will therefore begin at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation lasting about an hour by director Bertrand Desormeaux, from Trafic Image (“Mémoire filmique” network), invited by the association to shed light on the beginnings of cinema, the obstacles, rivalries, and feats which have marked this emerging art, particularly in the region. “With extracts and images from old films,” says Nicole Cornibert.

After a snack offered to spectators, the first part of “Lumière!” (1h30) will then be presented to the public.

“A stimulating journey to the origins of cinema”

These two documentary films were written and commented on by Thierry Frémaux, director of the Institut Lumière and general delegate of the Cannes Film Festival since 2007, based on a series of cinematographic views shot by Louis Lumiere and its operators from 1895. We see their most famous films there, such as “Outing the Factory”, or “L’Arroseur arrosé”, but also a number of unknown, funny or moving nuggets. All accompanied by the music of Camille Saint-Saëns.

“Thanks to the restoration of more than 120 previously unpublished Lumière views, the film offers us the intact spectacle of the world at the beginning of the century and a stimulating journey to the origins of a cinema that knows no end,” comments Thierry Frémaux.

Upon its release, in 2017 for the first part, then in 2025 for the second, on the occasion of the 130^e anniversary of the shooting of the first film in history, “Lumière!” had caused a sensation in the world of cinema. Several famous directors applauded with both hands: “so beautiful and moving” for Jean-Pierre Dardenne, “an emotional thunderbolt” for Xavier Dolan, “a world treasure”, even for Martin Scorsese. For Nicole Cornibert, the president of Eurociné, it’s just “enchantment.”

Thursday May 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Galaxy. Price: €10.