Film, The Living Record of Our Memory

Film, The Living Record of Our Memory
Directed by Inés Toharia

Friday, September 30, 7 pm
Saturday, October 1, 3 pm

$12 / $8 Speed members

“This is a must-see for TCM addicts, Criterion Channel subscribers, and other film buffs.”—Kent Turner, Film Forward

Why are we still able to watch moving images captured over 125 years ago?  As we move ever further into the digital age, our audiovisual heritage seems to be taken increasingly for granted; however, much of filmed history has already been lost forever.

Film archivists, curators, technicians, and filmmakers explain what film preservation is and why it is needed in this urgent documentary. The custodians of film work behind the scenes to safeguard the survival of motion pictures. They hold the belief in the artistic and cultural value of the moving image, with the shared passion that film may one day transform lives. This documentary is an homage to these critical cinema saviors.

The film guides us through major setbacks, surprises, and changes motion pictures have experienced including the evolution of film technology, celluloids vulnerability of decay, the creation of film archives and cinematheques, the fragility of digital data, restoration projects, and the growing field of film and digital preservation which protects and celebrate moving images as cultural heritage. 2021, Spain/Canada, DCP, in English French Spanish, Japanese, Catalan, and Arabic with English subtitles, 119 minutes. Recommended for 12+.