French Film Series Turns Institute Library Into Le Cinema

The Institute Library became le cinema Thursday night as its French film series — ​“Bonsoir, Mes Ami(e)s!” — began with Beauty and The Beast (also known as La Belle et la Bête), the renowned 1946 film by Jean Cocteau based on the fairy tale originally published in the 1700s. The three-film series is being presented in conjunction with Best Video and is being hosted and curated by John Hatch, who recently organized a successful Italian movie series at the Chapel Street institution. 

Hatch said he decided to show French films this time because it seemed like the right way to ​“move on.”

“The Italian movies were kind of heavy, and these are much lighter and romantic,” he said. Plus, he added, they are simply more great films that he wanted to share. 

The Italian film series grew more popular as it went on, according to Hatch, who noted that by the third screening they were ​“at capacity and added seats.” With this series they have added a request to RSVP so they can make sure they have enough seating. 

They have also obtained a larger screen and a new projector, which Hatch said was ​“brighter and better.” And with the film shown on Thursday being a remastered print from the Criterion Collection, he was sure it was going to be ​“a more enjoyable experience.” 

“We’re trying to go for quality,” he said. 

Another enjoyable part of the experience was the lovely table of refreshments set up for attendees. St Michel’s La Grande Gallette — French butter cookies — were resplendent in their golden beauty lying on silver platters, an apropos snack for the evening along with tea and a variety of refreshments. 

Julie Smith, executive director of Best Video, was in attendance and expressed how she was ​“thrilled to be doing this here.”

“It’s great to have Best Video back downtown,” she said, referencing one of the store’s past locations.

“We’re reviving the presence down here,” added Sarah Nikkel, Best Video’s board president. 

Eva Geertz, operations manager for the library, mentioned before the film began that she had actually worked at Best Video’s former location in the Yale Co-Op when she was a teenager.

“My love for Best Video goes back so far,” she added. ​“I’m thrilled to screen movies here.”

Before she spoke to the crowd, Smith told them that the Institute Library had sponsored Best Video back when they became a nonprofit. 

“It seems natural to be doing this together,” she added. ​“I’m just over the moon.”

Hatch had also spoke to the crowd, thanking everyone for coming and talking, not just about this film, but the films ahead — including Orpheus, which will be shown on Sept. 12, and Breathless, which will be shown on Sept. 26. 

But on Thursday, Beauty and The Beast was the focus, as the film mesmerized the audience from moment one. Earlier Hatch had described Cocteau as a ​“prominent French writer, thinker, director, and artist.” One had a sense that this would not be your typical fairy tale film from the opening credits, which began with a hand writing in cursive on a chalkboard.

“Children believe in us,” the narrator says. ​“They have complete faith in what we tell them.” The narrator goes on to ask the audience to have that belief once again for this tale. The story is fairly well known, so I won’t dive too deep into its details, but if your only knowledge of it is from the Disney version of the story, then you may want to check out this film for a much different approach. Often poetic, ever magical, and even laugh-out-loud funny in parts, the film follows its heroine Belle and her family through trials and tribulations that end up leading her father to a castle where an arm pours him a drink and doors speak. This is where he picks the rose that angers the Beast, who threatens to kill him unless he sends one of his daughters there in his place. Belle acquiesces, since she feels at fault for asking her father to bring her back a rose from his trip in the first place. 

Belle’s time at the castle is revelatory, and though her initial encounters with the Beast cause her fear, she eventually grows to care for him. He gives her a mirror that allows her to see her father, beautiful clothing and jewelry, and there’s even a white horse, Magnificent, as well as a magic glove that help her along her journey. 

The lighting as well as the framing of the actors’ faces and those epic long shots make the film even more magical and, in its darker moments, definitively a goth’s dream, though the special effects — which Hatch described as ​“groundbreaking” — truly make the magic leap off the screen. 

The fantasy melds with reality, as it does in most fairy tales, and a few lessons are learned, but in the end one leaves enchanted by Cocteau’s vision. 

“Magnifique!” said Hatch to the audience when the film ended and after their rousing applause. ​“Wow, it gets me every time.” 

The best films always do. And now you have two more chances to feel that way, too. 

For more information about the rest of this film series, please visit the websites for the Institute Library or Best Video. All films begin at 7 p.m., RSVPs are required, and there is a suggested donation of $10. Refreshments are always available.