NEW CINEMA FROM QUEBEC

NEW YORK (C P) -A grou p of films LE RETOUR DE L' IMMAC U LEE Quoting from the program notes procluced in Quebec has drawn CONCEPTION (THE RETURN OF THE of NEW CINEMA FROM QUEBEC at praise from the New York Times, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION) 1971, the Museum of Modern Art in New which says the filmmakers deserve by Andre Forc ier. York City: wider recognition. Nine years ago, two highly Reviewer Roger Greenspun uses LES MAUDIT SAUVAGES (THOSE original films made in the Province such phrases as "fresh and unusual" DAMNED SAVAGES) 1971, by Jean­ of Quebec premiered at international and "evocative and skillfully beau­ Pierre Lefebvre, (C INAK) Director of film festivals, won acclaim, and tiful" in describing the films shown photography: Jean-Claude Labrecque, effective Iy hera Ided the appearance here at the Museum of Modern Art CSC Leads: Pierre Dufresne and of an exciting "cinema quebecois." during the last two weeks. (February Nicole Fi lion. (Color) Claude Jutra's A tout prendre and 3-14, 1972) Q-BEC MY LOVE (un succes the Pierre Perrault/Michel Braultcol­ Among the filmmakers, "1 don't commerc ia I) 1969, by Jean-Pierre laboration Pour la suite du monde think anyone's name is likely to be Lefebvre. (C INAK) did more than just put a community familiar," Greenspun writes. "But of critics on the alert; in a sense some of them clearly ought to be­ UNE QUESTION DE VIE (A they defined the perimeters within come familiar, and to this end the MAnER OF !.IFE) 1970, by Andre which many Canad ian fi Immakers museum show is a very real service. Theberge. (NFB) would soon work. Both films es­ "Several of the films, express­ chewed the narrative approach for ON EST LOIN DU SOLEIL (ONE ing the concerns of French-Canad ian IS FAR FROM THE SUN) 1970, by a mosaic construction. Although nationalism, offer a revolutionary Jacques Leduc, (NFB) Cinematogra­ the former work was auto-biograph­ message," he adds. But the message phy: Alain Dostie. With Marthe ical and effervescent, and the latter is "generally a pragmatic plea for Nadeau and J. Leo Gagnon. a Ie isure Iy, understated chronic Ie, freedom or for a chance at a better eac h fi 1m, bound though it was to life ." MON ENFANCE A MONTREAL the documentary sensibility, gave Conventionally, the best look­ (MY CHILDHOOD IN MONTREAL) rise to an uncommon lyricism. A ingand most commercial of the films 1970, by Jean Chabot (NFB). Direc­ decade of political and social tur­ is Claude Jutra's MON ONC LE AN­ tor of photography: Thomas Vamos. moil in Quebec may have somewhat TOINE, Greenspun says. The film Starring Marc Hebert, Veronique darkened the poetry, but the spirit, depicts life in a small mining town Vi Ibert, and Robert Rivard. the soul, the feeling self is still through the eyes of a teenage boy. what "cinema quebecois" is all It "handily deals with love LES VOITURES D'EAU (RIVER about. and death and des ire and poverty SC HOONERS ) 1969, by Pierre Per­ If the title of this cycle sug­ and coming of age," he says and rault {NFB}. gests that there was an "old" "it's particulars are fresh and UN PAY SANS BON SENS (WAKE cinema in Quebec, then it is mis­ unusua I." UP, MES BON AMIS I!!) 1971, by leading. The new cinema in Quebec The reviewer's favorite is RED, Pierre Perrault (NFB) Cinematogra­ is new by virtue of its resemblance by Gilles Carle, an action-packed phers: Bernard Gosselin, Michel to the other "new cinemas" around feature about the exploits of Daniel Brau It. Cast: Did ier Dufour, Maur ice the world. Like "cinema nova" in Pilon, (who plays) half-breed Indian, Shai 1I0t. Brazi I, "das andere Kino" in West successful car thief and womanizer. Cont'd on page 30.

Called NEW CINEMA FROM QUEBEC, the Museum of Modern Art showing was comprised of eleven feature­ length films with English subtitles:

LES MALES (THE MALES) 1970 by Gilles Carle, (Onyx Films) direc­ tor of photography: Rene Verzier. Starring Donald Pi Ion and Rene Blouin. (Color)

RED, 1970, by Gilles Carle, (Onyx Fi Ims) cinematography by Bernard Chentrier. Daniel Pilon and Genevieve Deloir in lead roles. (Color)

MON ONCLE ANTOINE (SILENT NIGHT) 1971, by Claude Jutra, (NFB) Director of photography: Michel Brault. Stars Jacques Gagnon and from mon oncle antoine Jean Duceppe with Jutra himself in a lead role. (Color) directed bV Claude Jutra

12 Film makers Newsletter is a and here one of them discusses OTHER FILM VIEWS monthly magazine from New York what the cinema means to him. City pub I is hed and ed ited by Sun i Wa Ily Gentleman, C.S.c. wrote Mallow and H. Whitney Bai ley. The GRANT TO TWO FILM GROUPS an article for the January, 1972 February 1972 issue foc uses on The Toronto Filmmakers Co-op issue of American Cinematographer three documentaries made by "New and the Canad ian Fi Immakers Dis­ on intricate stop-frame, rear pro­ Fi Immakers:' tribution Centre have received a jection techniques and three dimen­ "Filming at 21,000 Feet" by joint grant from the Local Initiatives sional animation. Also in the same David Streit describes his experi­ Program of the federal government. issue: "Super 16-The Key to Pro­ ences while shooting a mountain The Filmmakers Co-op is using its ducing Big Budget Films at Low climbing expedition in Afghanistan. share to organize and run a series Cost." And Robert Surtees, ASC, A review of "Jack Johnson" of workshops in the fundamentals tells all about shooting "The Last by Bob Lehmann, ered its AI Bod ian and more advanced stages of 16mm Picture Show." and Bill Cayton - writer and direc­ filming. This is a continuation of The November-December 1970 tor - with creating a truly "super" last Fa II's workshop program when issue of Take One, published Febru­ documentary by imaginatively ani­ Clarke Mackey, Richard Leiterman, ary 7, 1972, was co-edited by mating still shots of the famous Patrick Spence-Thomas, Henry Fiks, Phyllis Platt and Kay Armatage. The heavywe ight champion. and Jim Lewis - among others ­ entire issue is devoted to women in "The Murder of Fred Hampton" shared their knowledge with the Co­ fi 1m. From the magaz ine that brought by Scott Didlake, is a political re­ op's membership. The Distribution you more than you ever wanted to view of a collectively made, gripp­ Centre is us ing its share of the know about Jean-Luc Godard, a com­ ing social documentary on the Black money to pay five people on a full­ prehensive look at how women look Panther leader and his followers. time basis to organize exhibitions Scott Didlake is an independent at film, make film, and would like of Canad ian fi Ims coast-to-coast. filmmaker currently living and work­ to make more film. Take one. The Centre distributes independent ing in Toronto due to the U.S. draft. Four very famous women in and underground short and feature films and the man who brought them length films throughout Canada. For together ar.€ discussed in the latest more information write to Room 201, issue of Impact, the Canadian Cin­ 341 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ema magazine. Michael Cacoyannis "Quatre comediens quebecois" Ontario, or call (416) 921-2259. is interviewed about his film "The are profiled by four quebecois film­ The Filmmakers Co-op shares office Trojan Women," starring Katherine makers in the latest issue of the space and a screening room with the Hepburn as Hec'uba, Genevieve French language Cinema Qubec. Distribution Centre. An editing room Bujold as Cassandra, Vanessa Red­ Jacques Godbout, Jean-Pierre Le­ 'is in the process of being assembled: grave as Andromanche, and Irene febvre, Jacques Leduc, and Gilles urgently needed are rewinds, view­ Papas as Helen of Troy. Critic Carle write about Marcel Saboutin, er, splicer, sound reader, synchron­ Gerald Pratley disagrees with the Monique Mercure, Luce Guilbeault, izer, Moviola and any other items use of the term "film industry", and Donald Pilon respectively (and for a 16mm editing facility. People and there is a write up on Peter respectfully.) It seems that the willing to donate, loan, or sell such, Carter's soon to be re leased' 'Row­ Pi Ion brothers are in just about are asked to contact Jerry McNabb, dyman," every film shot in Quebec recently, Co-op Coordinator.

VANCOUVER two-minute television commercial or participation from Toronto ••• he directed and photographed on "c" -that we should none the less Maple Leaf International Pic­ "Impaired driving" for J. Walter keep the chapter active and try to tures Limited, a Canadian backed Thompson advertising in Vancouver. regenerate some of the old enthus­ company have just started shooting Canawest Film Productions iasm. It was dec ided to hold a meet­ two features back-to-bac k, us i ng have a new film director on staff. ing in January and decide on a the same cast in each. He is Stan Olsen from Los Ange les. course of action. The features, ONE MINUTE BE­ The January meet ing was he Id FORE DEATH and THE OVAL PORTR­ in the stud ios of Western Fi Ims Ltd., WINNIPEG AIT, are early 19th century suspense and after a lengthy discuss ion it thrillers with Wanda Hendrix, Gis­ was dec ided that the Man itoba elle MacKenzie, Barry Cae and The final meeting of the 1971 chapter of the C.S.C did fill a need Mary Ayers from the U.S. and Pi a season for the Manitoba chapter of for cinematographers of the area but Shandle, Terrence Kelly, Doris the C.S.c. took the form of a soc iaI that if it was to continue some pro­ Buc kingham and Barry O'Su II ivan get together just before Christmas gram must be instituted that would from Canada. in the studios of Ken Davey Pro­ interest the group. It was agreed The producer is Henri Torres ductions Ltd. A pi lot musical, that most of our members wpuld Tude la, the director Roger Gon­ produced in Winnipeg and photo­ probably never qualify for full mem­ zalez, and the cameraman, Leon graphed by Myron Kupchuk, was bership and those that might would Sanchez. Canadians will fill all screened and discussed. A lively find it difficult through distance, other technical positions. discussion then took place on the communication with Toronto and Maemac Productions is planning activities of the C.S.c. and the expense, to get it. It was agreed a feature with an a II-canad i an cast. Manitoba chapter in particular. It however, that the main purpose was A starting date has not been an­ was the unanimous feeling of all to further cinematography and that nounced. members present that: "A" - we we should make a greater effort to Kelly Duncan, CSc, (Canawest were not as active as we should get full membership for those who Film Productions) won a first prize be •••"B" - that we could not qualified. At the unanimous request in the Chicago Film Festival for a expect much in the way of guidance of the members present, Mr. Gunter Cont'd on page 40. 13 Cont'd from page 13. in the film are Maureen Forrester, Herman Geiger-Tore II, Jean-Louis Henning of Western Fi Ims Ltd., Roux, and George Ryga. Theatrical agreed to take on the chairmanship segments inc lude "Don Giovanni" and Mr. Ken Davey volunteered to at the O'Keefe Centre, "Anne of SUBSCRIPTIONS NOTICE: be secretary for the coming year. Green Gab les" at the Char lottetown All the members agreed to help in Festival, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet formulating a new program format with music by Lighthouse, "Mer­ and the meeting adjourned on a chant of Venice" at the Stratford very enthusiastic note. Meetings SUPPORT CINEMA CANADA! Festiva I, "Death of a Sa lesman" at will be held on the 2nd. MOf.1day of Neptune Theatre in Halifax, "La 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION eac h month and not ices will be Guerre, Yes Sir!" at Place des Arts, FOR ONLY $ 5.00 mailed to all members and prospec­ and the Festival Singers with the tive members. The first meeting is Toronto Symphony. Sound recording to be he Id in Marc h on the return of was done by Peter Shewc huk, Terry Mr. Henning from a production and Cooke, Gordon Gillespie. and Don (p lease pr i nt) distribution scouting trip in Europe. Young, with mixing by Clarke Da­ Prato. CANADA AT 8:30 is a bi­ NAME _ lingual motion picture with a running time of 28 minutes. Produced by CANADA AT 8:30 ADDRESS _ Crawley ,Films, available in 16mm The film provides a "realistic and 35mm color. Production Manager look at what state our culture really was Margaret Mars ha II. CITY PROVINCE _ is in. I think that this is eminently •••valuable and makes this an im­ portant film." This is how The THE CSC ASSIGNMENTS LISTINGS Ottawa Journal characterized CAN­ ON PAGE 40 WAS MADE POSSIBLE Please enc lose cheque or money order pay­ ADA AT 8:30. a fi Imic look at the BY THE ACTIVE CO-OPERATION OF ab Ie to: performing art's across our land, THE CSC MEMBERSHIP. FOR FUTURE directed by Vi ncent Vaitiekunas. ISSUES PLEASE MAIL IN ASSIGN­ Canadian Society of Cinematographers Shot last year by Josef Seckeresh, MENTS INFORMATION TO OUR EDI­ 22 Front Street West C.S.C.lChris Slagter, C.S.C.lJack TORIAL OFFICES WELL BEFORE THE Long/and Mogens Gander, the short DEADLINE. (And please sign your Toronto. Ontario is being distributed free of charge forms. so we know who you are!) here by its sponsor, Volkswagen THANKS TO ALL CSC MEMBERS ACROSS CANADA WHO CONTRI­ Canada. SUPPORT CANADIAN CINEMA! Among the people interviewed BUTED THIS TIME AROUND.

Cont'd from page 31. around when they go to the movies. Bayer points this out and critics (rightly reviewers) have an influence on the box office, I was delighted to read it. which in turn can be used to rate the potential of the film-maker. The book is worth reading because it is an honest, fair Poor reviews means the film might "drop dead". and balanced approach to the world of film. It is wide in con­ Bayer touched an open response in me when he commented cept; narrow in definition; it does not suffer from pettiness or on how the movie theatre is run and the condition under which revenge; it does not make sweeping statements, rather it a film is shown. Many a Toronto house could take note of this, defines and elucidates the points the author wishes to make.

especially the Uptown theatre. U ••• the movie-goer is sub­ The work gives the reader the feeling that there is a' jected to dust and filth, debris under the seat and chewing gum complexity that no one person can control, but if each in­ on the armrests". This is putting the situation mildly. It never dividual in film would just be more human, more aware, he seems to occur tothe distributor and exhibitor that the audience would be a greater human being and the art of the film might shrinkage has something to do with the way people are pushed flourish. C.S.c. ASSIGNMENTS

BLACK, and THE FRAGILE DREAM. N.J. ZUBKO - recently completed CALGARY Currently working on a travel film, ACT-100 project. a film on an air­ ALBERTA ADVENTURES. Will soon cushion vehicle for Arctic Oil. Is be working on CABBIE. a feature slated to work on film ICE STATION GERRY MOIR. Ass. - was one of the film. "7". cameraman covering Westaskawin North American snowmobile races. Now shooting a Toyota commercial. LONDON, ENGLAND D. RAVEN - currently working on and plans for the future include PORTRAIT OF A PIPELINEforBamater PHILIP PENDRY - completed cover­ more commercials. Pipelines and BIG-L1TILE VACA­ age of the Bloody Sunday in London­ TIONS for Pacific Western. derry and the civil rights march in Newry. Currently working on a docu­ EDMONTON mentary on old people for TAKE 30. C.N. ROSS - since '68 has been Future work will be a one hour docu­ Director of Film and Photographic TREVOR PAIGE - completed CAS­ mentary for TUESDAY NIGHT on branch of the Albena Government. TRO'S CUBA. BLEAK ORANGE AND assassination and terrorism.