Colmar. The citizen film debate has been showing at the CGR for a year

For a year, the CGR cinema has hosted these meetings every month. The idea came from Artisans du monde. “I spoke about it to Rémy (Kozlik, from Amnesty International, Editor’s note) on May 1, at the Festival d’ailleurs d’ici,” relates Francine Kempf. In less than a month, a collective was born, the Colmar cinema called banco and the first screening took place on May 26, 2025, with the screening of the film A doctor for peace by Tal Barda.

Since this inaugural session, the collective has grown. It brings together the Colmar branches of Artisans du monde, Amnesty International, the Movement for a Non-Violent Alternative, the France Palestine Solidarity Association, the CCFD Terre Solidaire, Cimade and, more recently, the Liberté au Tibet association.

Speaking about the film

Over the months, the citizen film debate has established itself in the Colmar landscape and found its audience: the meetings bring together up to 150 people depending on the films on display. We were able to discover the struggle of young Sudanese freedom-loving people ( Sudan, remember by Hind Medde), the resistance of Iranian women ( Put your soul on your hand and walk ) or, in preview, the moving story of a Palestinian girl at the heart of the tragedy ( Hind Rajab’s voice ).

“The session always begins with a short introduction to the film. Once the screening is over, we offer a discussion time of around 30 minutes, to let the audience express themselves on the film. Depending on the sessions, there may be experts or witnesses, but the discussion time should not turn into a conference. Additional elements can be provided, but always in response to a question,” explains the collective.

“What we are looking for is dialogue. And for this, cinema is a wonderful tool, because it addresses both the intellect and the emotion, underlines Rémy Kozlik. The spectator is never alone when faced with the subject, he can share his feelings, his questions. » «Especially since the subjects are often hard-hitting», notes Roland Braun, of MAN (Movement for a Non-Violent Alternative). Another interest of these meetings: “Breaking down barriers, in a period which is rather about withdrawing into oneself, to create links between residents around the major questions of our society”.

Next objective for the collective: “To reach more young people and young active people”. A project shared by a large part of the associative world.

Citizen cinema debate Monday May 18 at 7:45 p.m. at the CGR cinema in Colmar (usual prices). On display, A country of resistance documentary by Shu Aiello and Catherine Catella (1h30). At the end of the screening, meeting (via video) with director Shu Aiello.