MINISTER OF CULTURE RACHIDA DATI COMMEMORTAES 130 YEARS OF FRENCH OF CINEMA

USPA NEWS - Rachida Dati, the French Minister of Culture, marked the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the birth of cinema this Monday, March 10th, at 7:20 p.m., at the Cinematheque Française, with a preview screening of Thierry Fremaux's film "Lumière, l'aventure continue."

The Minister delivered a speech punctuated with political, cultural, and even personal anecdotes before the screening, after Costa Gavras and Irene Jacob, President of the Cinematheque Française, gave a short welcome speech. Minister Rachida Dati spoke in her usual French manner, in a very straightforward and fun tone, despite being highly politicized, reflecting her political background. She discussed her policy in favor of cinema and the accessibility of culture to all, her major battle since she took office. This was followed by a preview screening in the presence of the director of Thierry Fremaux's film "Lumière, the Adventure Continues," the general director of the Lumière Institute. He, who directed this documentary gem, also lent his voiceover, adding a very personal, cinephile-passionate touch to his cinematic oeuvre, sumarizing one hundred (100) 55-second mini-films, the Lumière Brothers as a great tribute

THE FILM "LUMIERE: THE CONTINUOUS ADVENTURE OF THIERRY FREMAUX" CELEBRATES THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF CINEMA BY THE FREERS LUMIERE
The Minister delivered a speech punctuated with political, cultural, and even personal anecdotes before the screening, after Costa Gavras and Irene Jacob, President of the Cinematheque Française, gave a short welcome speech. Minister Rachida Dati spoke in her usual French manner, in a very straightforward and fun tone, despite being highly politicized, reflecting her political background. She discussed her policy in favor of cinema and the accessibility of culture to all, her major battle since she took office.

This was followed by a preview screening in the presence of the director of Thierry Fremaux's film "Lumière, the Adventure Continues," the general director of the Lumière Institute. Thierry Fremaux, who directed this documentary gem, also lent his voiceover, adding a very personal, cinephile-passionate touch to his cinematic oeuvre, summarizing one hundred (100) 55-second mini-films, the Lumière Brothers paying a fitting tribute to their invention of cinema. The restoration is spectacularly well-executed, and Thierry Fremaux's narration, injecting the right and desired tone, according to the comical nature of certain scenes filmed 130 years ago by the brothers Louis and Auguste Lumiere in Lyon, offers an unspoiled view of the world at the beginning of the 20th century and a journey to the origins of cinema.

“THE SECOND MIRACLE IS HAVING THIS FILM 130 YEARS LATER, TO CELEBRATE CINEMA”, SAID MINISTER RACHIDA DATI

"It's an extraordinary thing, as Georges Melies would say! It's a second miracle of cinema to have it, like cinema 130 years later, at a time when all ages are coming from everywhere.
It's also a great achievement. I'm quite happy being Minister of Culture." Rachida Dati as she

was addressing former Minister of Culture Rima Abdumalik (2022-24, left wing), who was present in the audience, Rachida Dati declared then:
"When I arrived, there was a small debate on film funding with the CNC, and very quickly, thanks to your support, we wanted the CNC (National Center for Cinema, chaired by Gaetan Bruel), this French cultural exception, to bring cinema all over the world," she said. Minister Rachida Dati added, "The minister concluded by looking to the future with concrete projects."
"I want 2025 to be a joyful collective celebration. The year 2025 was an excellent year, with 180 million spectators, a record, and this shows that our cinema is alive and well, and its film library is essential."

Minister Dati, then addressed kindly Costa Gavras, former awarded film maker, and Dear Costa, on January 30th, I hope you will carry out your roadmap, with the seriousness we know you for, welcoming all audiences, and adapting to all, there are many."

THE MINISTER EMPHASIZES ACCESSIBILITY TO CINEMA FOR ALL, WHICH SHE HAS DEFENDED SINCE HER TIME

The Minister emphasized her true mission, which she takes to heart, and that is to make culture accessible to all, especially to include minorities who have been excluded until now, such as the underprivileged, people, young people living in difficult areas, seniors living in remote communities, and disabled people and seniors living far from cultural hotspots.

"There are also areas that will not be accessible to some, and we will support cinema that is accessible to all. I have asked the CNC to set up a large lab to further open cinema to all audiences. There are places where there are no theaters, and no choice. We rely on people to support cinema in all these areas, and we will expand these actions, often with volunteers who overcome the many obstacles." The live entertainment budget has increased again this year. Not a single European will be missing in 2024 or 2025; we're committed.

“COMMITMENT TO CULTURE IS A POLITICAL COMMITMENT”, SAID MINISTER RACHDIA DATI

Commitment to culture is a political commitment. It costs more to disengage than to engage with politics, and I will be signing a contract with the department next week. The Normandie Image association, with 50 volunteers, will engage with around ten cinemas and festivals to share their favorites with you. The State supports these operations, the CNC (Centre for the Culture and Culture) with 60% alongside local authorities, and will identify stakeholders on the ground, even in healthcare facilities and prisons where it is not sufficiently present elsewhere. And particularly for minors. In Lyon, I asked in your presence, dear Thierry, to thank Olivier NAHARA. I wanted to support the film libraries.
Today, we celebrate their 130th anniversary with renewed ambition. Cultural magazines like Cahiers du Cinéma and Positif, historically the most widely read by major critics, with their contagious enthusiasm, are at the heart of all our conversations.
I therefore asked to secure the resources of the commission that dedicated them to the CNC, and to give art cinema and the arts all the scope it deserves.

“2025 WILL MARK THE CINEMA ATTACK TO ALL SOCIAL SECTORS, INCLUDING THE 22 MILLION CITIES LIVING IN RURAL AREAS” MINISTER DATI SAID

Minister Rachida Dati promised a very special year for cinema in 2025, like a fine vintage of French wine, accessible to all. "The year 2025 will mark the cinephilia, which is the only one that reaches all backgrounds and social strata, including rural areas, including the 22 million compatriots who live there and come here. Paradoxically, everyone agrees that artistic education has never been so vulnerable. This is a major undertaking, and with the Minister of National Education, we entrusted Jeffrey with the task of transmitting this passion for cinema in schools. It was even an idea last year at the Cannes International Film Festival. " explained Rachida Dati, instilling hope in audiences furthest from cultural venues, depending on their place of residence.

Minister Rachida Dati also prematurely announced to the audience, composed mainly of filmmakers and film festival directors, this evening, a future major Cinema Museum. "I haven't convinced everyone yet about this major National Cinema Museum, but it's planned. I will defend this project," promised Rachida Dati.

Minister Rachida Dati reiterated the importance of social impact through culture in this era of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, which threatens many professions in art and cinema. "It's been a month since the A.I. Action Summit, which took place in Paris with much uncertainty, and tonight we will see films made by geniuses while technology holds out promise of prowess. Minister Dati placed culture at the heart of current French society, which has suffered from many ills in the current difficult economic climate, as a remedy. "What will touch us in a film is humanity. Culture is the best thing when a period is so fractured with discrimination, violence, and even obscurantism."