Arts & Culture
Winnipeg Film Group shares 'new wave musicals' in summer screening series
The stereotypical image of the Hollywood musicals of the mid-20th century will be challenged with the latest series of screenings from the Winnipeg Film Group this month. The organization, which runs the Dave Barber Cinematheque in the Exchange District, is presenting three of the so-called “new wave musicals” of the French director Jacques Demy in the Rooftop Sculpture Garden at the Winnipeg Art Gallery – Qaumajuq, who invited the group to curate the series. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } “The new wave film movement took place in France during the 1950’s and 1960’s,” explains Olivia Norquay, film programmer for the Winnipeg Film Group. “It was basically challenging filmmaking norms of that time... and the musicals specifically are basically challenging and celebrating Hollywood musicals of that time.” “The films are so beautiful and so vibrant and techicolour, but also being very complex and romantic and kind of devastating.” The latest “new wave musical” to be screened by the film group will be 1970’s Donkey Skin. Based on the French fairy tale by Charles Perrault, the film stars Catherine Deneuve in a darkly psychological take on the story of a princess who is slowly transformed into a donkey. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } “I watched it a few years ago and was just sort of struck with the sets and the costumes and the props,” recalls Norquay. “They’re just so amazing and so creative and there’s all the anachronisms throughout the film. We see these really incredibly made gowns that are so thoroughly researched that they’re like 17th century costumes but in psychedelic colours with jewelry glued onto them.” The magical qualities of Donkey Skin are also enhanced by the film’s score, which Demy created alongside composer Michel Legrand. “It has this playfulness and it is helping to tell the story,” says Norquay of the music’s quality. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dave Barber Cinematheque (@wfgcinematheque) The Winnipeg Film Group’s celebration of Jacques Demy’s "new wave musicals" continues later this month with another rooftop screening, this time of The Young Girls of Rochefort starring Gene Kelly. "This one, I guess, is more in line with sort of big Hollywood musicals," says Norquay. “It’s very stunning, it’s very beautiful, it’s also weird, so if you’re into sort-of strange movies, please come!” Donkey Skin will be screened on August 15 at 9:15 p.m., with doors opening to the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden at 8 p.m. The Young Girls of Rochefort will be screened on August 29. Tickets are $20 with a $5 discount for Winnipeg Art Gallery or Winnipeg Film Group members. More information can be found at the Winnipeg Film Group’s website.