As we reach the end of Film2021, join us for only the second showing in the United Kingdom of The Living Record of Our Memory.
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 our filmed history and cinema has already been lost forever.
In this documentary, film archivists, curators, technicians and filmmakers from around the world explain what film preservation is and why it is needed. Our protagonists are custodians of film whose work behind the scenes safeguards the survival of motion pictures. It is a task they undertake based on their closely held belief in the artistic and cultural value of the moving image, in tune with a shared passion that a film might one day transform someone’s life. The documentary is an homage to them all and sheds some light on their critical undertaking.
Featuring contributions from Ken Loach, Costa-gavras, Wim Wenders, Bryony Dixon, Fernando Trueba, Aboubakar Sanogo and others.
Directed by: Inés Toharia
119 minutes | Canada/Spain | English subtitles
This screening is part of Opening Up the Magic Box, a heritage element of Film 2021 which marks the centenary of the death of Bristol-born film pioneer William Friese-Greene and the 125th anniversary of the first public cinema screening in Bristol, which took place at the Tivoli on 8 June 1896, as well as celebrating Bristol – a UNESCO City of Film since 2017. It is generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
In association with
Supported by
Image credit: Archive 7 by El Grifilm Productions Sml
Booking Information
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Accessibility: Royal Photographic Society
More information about the Royal Photographic Society can be found here.
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