“Archive: A Living Memory… Cinema Pulsing with Life”

In this segment, and on the occasion of the Jesuit Cultural Center in Alexandria celebrating its 70th anniversary this month, we celebrate the “archive” and the living memory that pulses within its details. When creatively utilized, the archive becomes an active component in the creative process, helping to shape new horizons for the future.

Join us on a journey through memory and explore how documented memory (the archive), whether in written text, sound, or recorded images, has inspired filmmakers since the early days of cinema in the early 20th century. Initially, the use of archives was limited to scattered shots to suggest the realism of events. However, the 1920s and 1930s saw the use of the archive become more systematic, especially in early documentaries. In the 1960s, archives entered an experimental phase, particularly with the French New Wave. By the 1990s, filmmakers began reconstructing stories using archives, contributing to the development of cinematic storytelling.

In the 21st century, thanks to the internet and the rise of social media, we now have an enormous amount of archival content from various fields available to the public—not only for use, but also for sharing and contributing. This opens up opportunities for more interaction and creativity in preserving, retrieving, and forming collective memory.

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Film Screening: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The film tells the story of Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet), who decide to erase their memories of each other after a painful breakup. During the erasure process, Joel embarks on a journey through his memories and discovers that every moment, whether happy or sad, shapes part of his identity. The concept of the archive is reflected in how emotions and events are stored in specific places, highlighting the importance of memory in shaping our selves. By the end, the couple’s relationship with their memories—and consequently their future—transforms.

The film received numerous accolades, with 111 nominations and 73 wins, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Charlie Kaufman and the BAFTA Award for the same category.

Genre: Drama, Psychological Drama, Romance
Country of Production: United States
Language: English (with Arabic subtitles)
Year of Production: 2004
Duration: 108 minutes

The screening will be followed by an open discussion with the audience, moderated by Lina Kamal.

About Lina Kamal
Lina Kamal is 27 years old, originally from Sudan, born and raised in Saudi Arabia, and currently residing in Egypt. She works as a graphic designer and multimedia artist. She is passionate about dance, writing, cooking, and everything related to mental health.

Free admission, no prior registration or reservation required.

AI generated translation.