Guild screenings at the Institut français d’Ecosse (French Institute of Scotland) began in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and our decision to cancel our season of films in our small, poorly ventilated, Guild cinema. Our search for alternative facilities led to an initial screening in the Institut’s spacious Émilienne Moreau-Evrard room on the 2nd of October that year. Its success led to plans for monthly screenings. However, the re-imposition of COVID-19 restrictions brought the closure of the Institut and a temporary halt to our plans. When the Institut re-opened in late May 2021 we were able to resume screenings.
Formal partnership
A formal partnership between the Edinburgh Film Guild and the Institut français d’Écosse was signed at this time. Our ongoing partnership has benefited, in particular, from excellent relationships with both Cultural Development Officers at the Institut, Solange Daufes, and Yoann Mylonakis who succeeded her in the role in the Summer of 2022. We would like to thank all the Institut staff for their support of our joint screenings.
Institut français d’Ecosse
Founded in 1946, the > Institut français d’Ecosse is a cultural centre promoting the French language and culture in Scotland. It is part of the wider Institut Français network around the world, which is administered by the French Foreign Ministry. The Institut français d’Ecosse is located on the Royal Mile at West Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF.
Screenings:
*The 2022-2023 season was extended to include two additional screenings: 14 April 2023: ‘Au Revoir Les Enfants’ (Louis Malle | France | 1986) and 12 May 2023: ‘Bob le Flambeur’ (Jean-Pierre Melville | France | 1956).
Our Screenings 2020-2022:
2 October 2020
Our initial screening was ‘City Girl’, the classic 1930 silent film directed by F. W. Murnau.
4 June 2021
‘Le Doulos’ (1962), directed by Jean Pierre Melville and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Serge Reggiani. The film was introduced by Jim Dunnigan, Chair of the Guild and Film Studies tutor, University of Edinburgh.
9 July 2021
‘The Assassin’ (2015), directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien. The film was introduced by Guild council member Gavin Powell.
17 September 2021
‘Embrace of the Serpent’ (2015), directed by Colombian filmmaker Ciro Guerra. The screening was held to mark the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow from 31 October to 13 November 2021. Introduced by Gavin Powell.
1 October 2021
Tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo. ‘Léon Morin, Priest’ [Léon Morin, prêtre] (1961), directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Emmanuelle Riva and Irène Tunc.
12 November 2021
The Wages of Fear [Le Salaire de la Peur] (1953), directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and starring Yves Montand and Charles Vanel.
3 December 2021
‘Madame De…’ (1953), directed by Max Ophüls and starring Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux, and Vittorio De Sica. Introduced by Jim Dunnigan, Chair of the Guild and Film Studies tutor, University of Edinburgh.
11 February 2022
‘La Belle Equipe’ [They Were Five] (1936), directed by Julien Duvivier and starring Jean Gabin, Charles Vanel, and Viviane Romance. Introduced by Jim Dunnigan.
11 March 2022
‘Playtime’ (1967), directed by Jacques Tati. “Jacques Tati’s late masterpiece.” (The Guardian). Introduced by Guild council member Nadine Fabre.
8 April 2022
‘Monsieur Klein’ (1976), directed by Joseph Losey and produced by and starring Alain Delon in the title role. Introduced by Jim Dunnigan.