Tours 2016:
Filmmaking in France Program
David A. Gerstner
In 2016, Filmmaking in France arrived on scene with its cohort of eager, dedicated, and smart students. One of these students included Mitchell Lovell. Later, Mitchell was hired as a College Lab Technician in the Department of Media Culture. As things came to pass, Mitchell and I joined forces to collaborate on the program. He, with his expertise in film practice, and with my area of concentration in critical studies forged a comprehensive program of study. Since 2017, he and I have co-coordinated the French film programs. He is an invaluable colleague and friend.
The first film we made in 2016 was a documentary, L’été en suspens (Summer Suspended). As you will see, the film shows the experiences we shared during the summer of 2016, a summer filled with both pleasure and tragedy. I believe I can speak for all that the first Filmmaking in France program deeply moved us. And because of this, it resulted into the making of a well-executed, collaborative short film. I am proud of the film we made that year.
We spent the last few days of the program in Paris where we visited the renowned film school, La Fémis. We also met with Honoré at the Centre national du cinéma et l’image animée (CNC) and spent time with producer, Didar Domehri.
Upon our return to the United States, CGE and the Department of Media Culture hosted a spectacular event in the Performing Arts Center at CSI where students, faculty, staff and folks from the Cultural Services of the French Embassy enjoyed French culinary delights and the screening of L’été en suspens. It was a great way to bring to a close our first Filmmaking in France program. Winnie Brophy is to be commended for her tireless preparation for the event.