Ex-Centris 2009
1999-2009 Released Sequences in the journal
1999-2009: a cycle of independent film ends
The announcement of the cessation of commercial programming films at Ex-Centris on January 13 has triggered concerns in cinephile and the Brotherhood in the film industry in Quebec. After 10 years of unwavering service to the auteur here and elsewhere, the businessman and philanthropist Daniel Langlois wants to refocus the mission of his castle multimedia Boulevard Saint-Laurent proposals Digital more diversified. How cinema Independent, whose precariousness is further proof, he will survive this new warning shot?
Before June 1999, when Daniel Langlois and Claude Chamberlan inaugurated with great fanfare three cinemas Complexe Ex-Centris, independent cinemas in Montreal and elsewhere, died one after another, poisoned by the emergence the first multiplexes. Complexe Desjardins, the Élysée, Berri, Loews, the Egyptian and the Faubourg Ste-Catherine, after being held up during a decade of ups and downs, have all passed away following the last major reconfiguration Park-era analog rooms - only the Parisians will hold out until April 2007, dropped in quick succession by Cineplex Galaxy Cinemas and Fortune.
1999 is a crucial year in more ways than one for Quebec cinema. On the one hand there, a bit skeptical at the first edition of the Prix Jutra, which will crown without suspense The Red Violin. On the other, the emergence of Denis Villeneuve with Un 32 août sur Terre , engaged with the documentary Forest Alert Richard Desjardins and Robert Monderie, and perhaps the more capital again, the Kino constellation. While Blair Witch Project loop the loop of the great decade of American indies as Miramax and Artisan first version, that of independent Quebec will start in his way. Belanger, Chouinard, Briand, Turpin, Baril, John Falardeau, faithful viewers Cinema Parallel, Chamberlan follow in the relocation of its offices and its festival at Ex-Centris. The convergence of means and vision makes sense, this marriage is destined for great things.
10 years later, we must rely on Cinema du Parc to the uncertain financial footing, a swollen Cinema Beaubien five rooms, a Film and seasonal constraints, not to mention an Imperial Cinema Imperial, which is still a few days a year. Digital distribution is slow to impose its domination (but softened its transaction costs), the distributor to limit their purchases of auteur cinema, when they do not fall back on an ever-surprising self-productions, sometimes with success ( Bluff , 2007). In 2008 alone, the Quebec Association of Film Critics (AQCC) identified no fewer than 70 feature films in Quebec, including fiction and documentary, released in theaters or festival, or not produced with the help of a cultural investor. It is hard to imagine how this rate could be reissued next year, and even the next, if no other room dedicated to arthouse films not up to earth.
For some, the future of the publication of this kind of cinema through domestic consumption (video on demand, web or DVD), others argue that Quebec already pledged Network Plus (parallel circuit of 40 rooms independent, often multi-purpose) should be able to enjoy a body such as ACID in France (Association Independent Film Distribution for her, born the same year as Network Plus), whose programming and support films are provided by a panel of filmmakers. Anyway, hope that the exhibitors brave enough to retrieve the slot vacated by Ex-Centris will not make the mistake to install a program designed months in advance, as was the case in the case with Cassavetes, Fellini and Parallel, which was imposed too often interminably flops and put on display early in the street become more successful.
CHRONOLOGY OF A DEATH ANNOUNCED
Having delivered many innovations for wet firecrackers, Daniel Langlois, in his way, gave a major boost to the visibility of auteur cinema in Quebec and internationally since the beginning of Ex-Centris in 1999. Here's a quick look back at 10 years apart and heading changes.
1997
A year after he set up his foundation for art and scientific research, Langlois founded the Ex-Centris, which will open its doors in June 1999 after two years of work on the Boulevard Saint- Lawrence, next Cinema of the deceased as president. 93 rooms, 188 and 271 spaces are dedicated to cinema, broadcasting multimedia events and corporate activities.
1998
Lee teamed up with Claude Chamberlan and house the activities of the new Cinema Parallel. The building of 70,000 square feet will also house the offices of Terra Incognita, Studio Ex-Centris, Media Principia, Fondation Daniel Langlois, DigiScreen, offices Softimage Inspeck, Pixman Pixnet and a host of other companies in new media.
2000
Langlois bought Don Lobel Cinema du Parc and Ex-Centris cinema complex becomes the first North American member of the prestigious Europa Cinemas barely two years later. "The rooms Ex-Centris is the most beautiful theaters in the world," said Claude Miller was then at Cannes.
2002
The same year, Lee joined forces with Team Spectra and Alliance Atlantis Spectrum Complex project, a vast entertainment complex in downtown Montreal with four theaters, whose opening is provided two years later. The project was put on ice and Langlois focuses on activities of the complex: the Festival of New Cinema, Magnifico, Cine-Oke, Ciné-Kid and Mutek are the beautiful days of Ex-Centris and the place is fast becoming a haven for film lovers of Quebec.
2003
The distribution of digital movies DigiScreen born, but its leaders are struggling to convince theater owners to adopt massively Quebec.
2004
Langlois and Sheila de La Veranda, on behalf of the FNC, answered the call for tenders and Telefilm Sodec under the Call for a film event in Montreal Tenders will not be considered by the review committee. The same year he created Digimart market digital film and multimedia, which will initially associated with the FNC in 2005 before flying on his own. Langlois joined in turn to the new International Film Festival of Montreal (FIFM) Spectra, which will only last a single edition.
In February 2005, Lee left the FNC before founding with Robert Lepage's production company Tied for Quebec to achieve inter alia the film adaptation of "The Dragon's Trilogy," a project that will never day. At the end of the year, Lee decided to stow Digimart the next edition of FNC.
But 2005 was a challenging year in terms of entries in cinemas Ex-Centris and park, and some positions are merged, the same programming team now take care of the supply of films in two cinemas.
After seven editions, the mini-festival Magnifico also interrupts its annual activities under the Main Madness, but we are witnessing the arrival of the traveling festival Resfest, Ex-Centris, which will invest time in two editions.
2006
Softimage celebrates 20 years and begins to sell Terra Incognita Cinema du Parc, which will be recovered by Roland Smith a few months later.
In March 2007, it was the turn of Digimart to terminate its activities after two editions after contracting a large deficit. Six months later, Daniel Langlois Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary over the Parallel Cinema breath to turn his 40th birthday.
2008
Last August, Mark Brennan left the general direction of Ex-Centris while the position is abolished and its functions are shared by three employees of the team. For the first time in nine years, the Festival Mutek Ex-Centris is also leaving for deployment in various venues in downtown. This fall, the FNC recorded the best attendance in its history, surpassing the 100,000 festival-goers on all its sites, including Ex-Centris.
© 2009 Charles-Stéphane Roy
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