2006 Academy Member
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| Written by: Thomas Hauerslev | 14. March 2006 |
 Francois Carrin. Picture by Thomas Hauerslev.This year the Academy was faced with a real challenge – how to enlarge the group of Academy members with a new nationality? We looked everywhere, and names and ideas began to emerge. We looked for a person who not only lived up to Academy criteria, but also a person who would represent, in the best possible way, the term “film enthusiast”. The “film enthusiasts” belong to the palette of characters associated with cinema today. We have editors, actors, directors and many more. When the film is exhibited, we have moviegoers and film enthusiasts. The distinction between a movie goer and a film enthusiast is a very fine line (of sanity). The movie goer is probably capable of identifying the actors and perhaps the director of the film they just saw. The enthusiasts are, very often capable of identifying even the smallest detail about the film, the cinema and how it looked like in 1957. Nothing is too unimportant to be remembered. The enthusiast lives and breathes film, and often has huge collections of soundtracks, souvenir programmes and posters – and sometimes a lot more. Our nominee is no exception and has even taken this interest to the next level The person we have selected has a passionate enthusiasm for Cinerama and 70mm. His dedication to wide screen makes it impossible for him to resist any opportunity to seek out projection rooms and movie flea markets all over his native country and neighbouring countries. More about that later! He, and it is a he, is a very friendly person, always trying to make himself understood in the English language. He has been a loyal guest in Bradford for nearly 10 years – and he has always frequently obtained free beers for several Academy members, although that is NOT an Academy selection criterion ;-). When he is going to Bradford he always travels over land by rail or by car - and always through the tunnel between France and England. He never flies, for fear of falling, I assume. |
Further
in 70mm reading: Wide Screen Weekend home Academy of the Wide Screen Weekend Francois' story about Cinerama cinema in Paris, France Internet link: |
 I have shared many “grande Carlsbergs” with him and toured projection rooms
with him. His encyclopaedic knowledge of cinemas In his country’s capital is
amazing. I have visited him in his house and met his family including the
cats – one of which is called “My Fair Lady”.So far, his sharp eyes have also made him the proud owner of several 70mm prints – some of which he has graciously loaned to be shown here at Pictureville. He has turned his own basement into a full size cinema, to make proper room for his collection of three DP70 70mm projectors, magnetic pre amplifiers, film spools, posters, and a curved screen. His e-mails are always enthusiastic when he reports about his latest findings – like this one: “….and have found some Cinerama memories, 33 rpm sound track of “Good Bye, Mr. Chips”, an empty Cinemecanicca 70mm reel, some 16mm news reels, 2 Jacques Tati trailers and a 25mm focus lens for my Bell & Howell TQ 1” Who can this be? You are probably thinking he must be employed within the film industry. But he is not. He is a "reel" film enthusiast, breathing and living for his interest – in his normal life he makes a living as a self employed quantity surveyor. Before I reveal his name, and I’m sure some of you have already guessed it, I can tell you that tomorrow is his 61st birthday – so don’t forget the birthday song. May the Spirit of Henri Chrétien smile down from above when I welcome Francois CARRIN, to become the next member of the Academy of the Widescreen Weekend. |
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