FOCUS GODARD: Histoire(s) du cinéma

5/6 (Monday)
18.15
Cinematheque of North Macedonia
(Hi)stories of Cinema (Histoire(s) du cinéma, 1988-1998)
1-4 episode
Jean-Luc Godard, FR, 147′
Focus Godard

7/6 (Wednesday)
18.15
Cinematheque of North Macedonia
(Hi)stories of Cinema (Histoire(s) du cinéma, 1988-1998)
5-8 episode
Jean-Luc Godard, FR, 119′
Focus Godard

Authentic to the ‘man-film,’ Jean-Luc Godard certainly does not propose a chronological history of cinema, but rather a double exploration, a journey through the Twentieth Century history, in the country of images and an exploration of the creation of Godard himself, a selfportrait of the director. 

Although we are well acquainted with films like “Breathless” (À bout de souffle), “My Life to Live” (Vivre sa vie), “Masculin Féminin,” and perhaps “Contempt” (Le Mépris), “Band of Outsiders” (Bande à part), “Alphaville,” or “Pierrot le Fou,” the series “(Hi)stories of Cinema” by Godard is a rare treat for cinephiles, unfortunately rarely shown on the big screen. The experimental nature of this unique cinematic endeavor, which is part of Godard’s extensive filmography, may make it hermetic to a broader film audience. However, it also contributes to its cult status and provides an exceptionally rare cinematic pleasure, offering several hours of contemplation on the art of cinema in front of the silver screen.

What is a film? And why not, what is philosophy? (Godard would probably ask us.) It is “Histories of cinema, in plural.” Or rather, “Everything is film, in plural.”

“(Hi)stories of Cinmea” is the story of the emotions created by cinema and the story of the loneliness of the creator. With excerpts of famous movies, Godard shows how cinema must struggle against photography, TV and literature to reproduce the real. Stories always unfinished and yet passionate for, as Godard says, “we must burn films, burn them with inner fire”.