Jean Desmet's Dream Factory: Exploring Early Cinema History at Eye Filmmuseum

This exhibition at Eye Filmmuseum delves into the collection of pioneering film distributor Jean Desmet, whose unique archive offers a profound look into the formative years of cinema between 1907 and 1916. Recognized by UNESCO, the collection highlights experiments with the new medium and the adventurous development of the film industry. Visitors can explore a selection of films, posters, and publicity materials that reveal the evolution of film culture.

The "Jean Desmet's Dream Factory" exhibition at Eye Filmmuseum brought to life the exceptionally adventurous period of early cinema from 1907 to 1916. Centered around a unique archive of material from Dutch film pioneer Jean Desmet, this collection was inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2011. It provides unparalleled insight into the film industry during the second decade of the last century, a time when the new medium matured through creative experiments and rapid development. Jean Desmet (1875-1956) was a prominent figure in Dutch theatrical film screening and distribution during these formative years. His extensive company archive, which offers a rare glimpse into the commercial aspects of cinema culture, alongside his remarkable collection of films, posters, and publicity material, was donated to the Nederlands Filmmuseum (the precursor to Eye) in 1957. The exhibition contextualized how both film as an art form and the film industry itself evolved during Desmet's active period, showcasing the 1910s as a vibrant creative hotbed where pioneers conducted numerous experiments with the new medium. The exhibition featured a curated selection of films from the Desmet Collection, presented on big screens to highlight the modern and adventurous spirit of early international cinema. These films convey a sense of wonder at cinema's artistic potential, exploring various narrative styles, special effects, coloring techniques, staging, and framing. They also evoke the pleasure the new medium offered in engaging viewers and expressing imagination, tracing the evolution of film culture from fairground attractions and traveling cinemas to screenings at permanent venues. Complementing the films, the exhibition included original posters and a selection of documents and publicity material from Desmet's archive. Parallel to the main exhibition, Eye Filmmuseum hosted a special Desmet programme in its auditoriums, featuring guest speakers who reflected on films from the collection. These programs explored themes such as the 'Grand Tour', 'madness and science', and 'old new media', drawing parallels and contrasts between early cinema imagery and contemporary perspectives. Cinema Concerts showcased 1910s films with live musical accompaniment following historical introductions, alongside lectures, guided tours, family tours, and children’s workshops, enriching the visitor experience. A lavishly illustrated publication, available in Dutch and English, accompanied the exhibition.

The page details a variety of accompanying programs, including special film screenings, guest speaker talks, cinema concerts with live music, lectures, and guided tours, all parallel to the exhibition. However, it does not provide specific ticketing information for the exhibition itself, nor details on how to book entry.