Concordia goes celluloid
Matt Hays, part-time lecturer at Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, is connecting Concordia to the film world.
On November 17 he will conduct a Q&A with local filmmaker Paul Almond at the Cinema du Parc following a 2 p.m. screening of Seven Up! (1964).
Hays has written about Almond over the years and loves the film. Few people are aware that the British documentary series, following 14 Britons over the course of their lives at seven-year intervals, was co-conceived by Almond, a native of Montreal.
Almond developed the project for Granada TV when the British Labour government was toying with the idea of tax reform that would significantly minimize differences between classes. Almond thought speaking to seven-year-olds across the economic spectrum about their aspirations would be an engaging way to amplify the discussion.
It was Michael Apted, usually associated with the Up Series, who decided to visit those same children seven years later. By then Almond had returned to Canada and Apted, a junior researcher on the first film, continued the series.
Hays will also moderate a master class Friday, November 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the NFB Cinema (1564 St. Denis Street) with D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus as part of the Montreal International Documentary Festival (Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal - RIDM). The pair are responsible for a string of documentaries about musicians, culture and politics, including The War Room (1993).
Later that day, at 5 p.m., another RIDM master class and screening with Italian filmmaker Paola Sangiovanni will be held at Concordia in the York Amphitheatre, Room EV 1.615, EV Buidling (1515 Ste-Catherine St. W.)
Documentarist Sangiovanni focuses on Italian women’s social history in her work. The master class will be moderated by Associate Professor Rosanna Maule.
All RIDM events are free.
Related link:
• Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema