hollywood of the foot slag heap

Exhibition 21.02 > 17.05 Former slaughterhouse Mons hollywood of the foot slag heap When Kirk Douglas filmed in the Borinage PRESS KIT Warner USA

Mons 2015 PRESS FILE 2 WARNER

3 TUE. 21 02 2015 SUN. 17 05 2015 PRESS RELEASE EXHIBITION Curator Philippe Reynaert Exhibition coordination Arnaud Godart +32 (0)65 40 53 13 arnaud.godart@ville.mons.be Press preview Thursday Feb 19, 2015 at 14:30 In 2015, Mons, European Capital of Culture, has issued an invitation to one of the greatest painters of all time. In 2015, Vincent van Gogh is in Mons. Or rather, has returned here! Because it was in the Borinage that he changed career, from preacher to artist. It was in the Borinage that he reached a critical turning point in his life and art. Exploring the traces of this transition remains as worthwhile as ever. In addition to the major exhibition at BAM from January to May 2015, two other sizeable projects around the figure of Van Gogh are currently coming to fruition: firstly, the renovation of the house where he lived in Colfontaine; and secondly, the collection of archive material relating to the 1956 Vincente Minnelli film that recreated the Dutchman s time in the Borinage for all the world to see. Location Cold Room of the Former Slaughterhouse

Mons 2015 PRESS FILE 4 HENRI DE GERLACHE DIRECTORT Since 1998, Henri de Gerlache has written and directed some twenty documentaries which have been broadcast worldwide. He began his career by making a series of seven documentaries about the highest points on each continent (Les Regards de Sagarmatha, 2003). While continuing to make adventure and exploration films, he has also made musical films (Fauré, un Requiem, 2001, Les larmes de Saint-Pierre, 2010) and portraits of artists (Magritte, le jour et la nuit, 2008). In 2007, he made L Antarctique en héritage, a documentary that traces the adventure of his ancestors as they discovered Antarctica and served the cause of science. He has made Les Ailes du soleil about Bertrand Picard s solar aircraft (Arte, RTBF, Discovery, etc.) and two films entitled Belgique entre ciel et terre exploring Belgian territory from the sky and through original portraits, and has just completed the films Le choix de peindre, Vincent Van Gogh and Hollywood au pied du terril. PHILIPPE REYNAERT CURATOR After studying literature (with a final dissertation on the film-maker André Delvaux), Philippe Reynaert taught literature for two years. However, his love of film caught up with him, and he received his initiation into journalism by creating the magazine Visions, serving as its editor from 1982 to 1988. He made his television debut in 1983 when he took over as presenter of Ciné-Club de Minuit on RTBF. He has worked continuously with the public service channels ever since, and now sits on RTBF s Board of Directors. After working as an advertising executive in the 90s, Philippe Reynaert now devotes himself full-time to his passion for film, as director since February 2001 of Wallimage, the Regional Fund for Audiovisual Investment created by Wallonia. He scripted 150 mini TV programmes entitled Immortels du Cinéma ( Immortals of Cinema ), and has co-written his first documentary, Hollywood au pied du Terril. Rino Noviello

5 hollywood of the foot slag heap LUST FOR LIFE A FILM SHOOT IN THE BORINAGE The major exhibition Van Gogh in the Borinage. Birth of an Artist is being held in Mons this year, but there are also celebrations to mark the sixtieth anniversary of an improbable film shoot that brought Hollywood to the foot of the slag heap for ten days. On Tuesday 20 September 1955, Vincente Minnelli set up his Cinemascope camera in the narrow streets of Wasmes, a mere stone s throw from the Grand Hornu colliery. He had undertaken to bring Lust for Life to the screen, and, unusually for American cinema at that time, he opted to shoot the film in the actual locations where the painter had lived and worked. After a circuitous journey that took it from the Netherlands via Paris to the south of France, the crew that was filming this Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) production set up shop in the Borinage. The director, Kirk Douglas and the other actors, the producer and their families all stayed at Le Relais in Ville-Pommeroeul. An army of local extras was recruited by the casting managers: Jean-Pierre Bertiaux, who was ten years old in 1955, appeared in two short scenes with Kirk Douglas. The experience changed him for life. Alfred Brion (aged 92) remembers the elegant, good-looking boy who gave back a sense of pride to the miners of that time. But what happened to all the other one-day actors? That is what this project will help you find out! TRACES OF A VISIT For eight days there was great excitement, and the Belgian press gave the event ample coverage. There is also some visual material that gives us an insight into this amazing week. An amateur film-maker, Marcel Honorez, surreptitiously took a few pictures on the set with his 8mm springdriven camera. These pictures, now conserved by Sonuma, were first unearthed in the 1990s by André Huet for the RTBF television programme Inédits. All the materials relating to the filming of Lust for Life have been preserved by Warner, as well as by the Margaret Herrick Library (run by the Academy responsible for the Oscars), where our curator was able to look through a copy of the original screenplay annotated by director Vincente Minnelli himself. A big appeal for people present during the filming was launched over a year ago now, in order to track down some of the extras and others who were there. We have found over thirty, who have shared their memories with us and some souvenirs too: one participant had kept an autograph that Kirk Douglas had given him, while another still had the 300 Belgian francs he earned in two days work as an extra! All these documents and many others, as the Visitors Book of the Municipality of Hornu, signed by Kirk Douglas and Vincente Minnelli, are on display in the exhibition Hollywood at the Foot of the Slag Heap.

Mons 2015 PRESS FILE 6 EVENTS AROUND THE PROJECT - IMPORTANT DATES 18.02.2015: Commercial release by Warner Home Video in France/Belgium/Luxembourg/The Netherlands of a DVD/Blu-Ray box set containing the remastered version of La Vie Passionnée de Vincent van Gogh / Lust for Life financed by Warner and the Mons 2015 Foundation. Publication of the Hollywood au pied du Terril (Hollywood at the Foot of the Slag Heap) exhibition catalogue including the DVD of the documentary. 19.02.15: Preview of the exhibition Hollywood at the Foot of the Slag Heap in the Cold Room of the Former Slaughterhouse in Mons. (by invitation only) WARNER LUST FOR LIFE A WORLD PREMIÈRE IN MONS Present in Hollywood in King Philippe s last official mission while he was still a prince, our very own Philippe (Reynaert) managed to persuade Warner to restore the Minnelli film, and we will be able to rediscover the superb colours Minnelli had in mind as a fitting tribute to the painter whom he was portraying. The work was overseen by the Royal Belgian Film Archive, which will become the official holder of the digital copy whose production was co-financed by the Mons 2015 Foundation. The restored digital version of Lust for Life will thus be given a world première screening at the Théâtre Royal in Mons on 19 February, followed by three screenings at Imagix for the numerous cinema-goers who will be eager to rediscover this forgotten masterpiece. The remastered film will be complemented by a 26-minute documentary retracing the fantastic adventure of this unusual film shoot. Co-produced by the Province of Hainaut, RTBF and Arte, it will be shown by way of introduction to the gala screening of Lust for Life on 19 February. It will also be broadcast in the same capacity on RTBF on 21 February and on Arte France and Belgium on 23 February. Then, from March to May, the Plaza Art cinema will host a Van Gogh at the Cinema festival at which the greatest films featuring the painter will be shown. There will be screenings of films by Pialat, Altman, Paul Cox, Samy Pavel and Alain Resnais, plus, on 28 March, some short films on Van Gogh financed by the Province of Hainaut. World première of the remastered version of the Minnelli film at the Théâtre Royal in Mons. The film will be preceded by the documentary Hollywood au pied du Terril by Henri de Gerlache and Philippe Reynaert (26 ) (by invitation only) 21.02.15: Opening of the exhibition Hollywood at the Foot of the Slag Heap in the Cold Room of the Former Slaughterhouse in Mons. Until 17 May. Broadcast by RTBF of the remastered version of Lust for Life together with the documentary Hollywood au pied du Terril 23.02.15: Broadcast by Arte of the remastered version of Lust for Life together with the documentary Hollywood au pied du Terril 01.02.15 > 28.02.15: Three public screenings in Mons of Lust for Life preceded by the documentary Hollywood au pied du Terril. 28.03.15: Screenings of the short films on Van Gogh financed by the Province of Hainaut. 31.03.15: Screening at the Cinematek in Brussels of Lust for Life preceded by the documentary Hollywood au pied du Terril, opening a Minnelli retrospective. 01.03.15 > 31.05.15: Retrospective Van Gogh at the Cinema at the Plaza Art in Mons. 30.05.15: Open-air screening at Auvers-sur-Oise (Fr) of Lust for Life preceded by the documentary Hollywood au pied du Terril.

7 Rino Noviello THE DOCUMENTARY HOLLYWOOD AU PIED DU TERRIL (26 MINUTES) A DOCUMENTARY BY HENRI DE GERLACHE AND PHILIPPE REYNAERT Synopsis: a journey into memories of the past, exploring an era of cinema and a region which, during a film screening, remembers an amazing week in which Hollywood shone its spotlight on Belgium s Black Country. Philippe Reynaert: supported by the Mons 2015 team, we set to work collecting the memories and documents of those ordinary folk who, although not mentioned in the credits of Lust for Life, were certainly present on set, and sometimes on camera. It was at this point that the idea of a documentary was born. For the making of it, my thoughts immediately turned to Henri de Gerlache, who was already working on a documentary called Van Gogh. Le choix de peindre ( Van Gogh. The decision to paint ). He agreed to collaborate with me on what is my first film. various ways in which the film affected them sixty years ago. Like in Cinema Paradiso, we get inside the memories of these viewers, who take turns recounting their experiences. We follow the chronology of the film as it is screened, by dwelling with the audience members on anecdotes that reveal the personality of Kirk Douglas and Vincente Minnelli, but that also give an insight into the character of a region and its captivating people. Produced by Alizé Production with the support of the Mons 2015 Foundation, the Province of Hainaut, RTBF and Arte. Director Henri de Gerlache. Original screenplay Henri de Gerlache and Philippe Reynaert. Executive producer Bernard de Launoit. Line producer Virginie Chapelle. Editing John Pirard. Director of photography Bernard Vervoort. Assistant director Rino Noviello. Sound engineer Cosmas Antoniadis. Production designer Bernard Coyette. Henri de Gerlache: we have structured the film around a screening taking place today, outside, in the courtyard of the former Grand Hornu colliery, a few metres from where Minnelli filmed. The audience consists of people who remember the

Mons 2015 PRESS FILE 8 Practical information I WANT TO KNOW HOLLYWOOD OF THE FOOT THE SLAGHEAP TUE. > SUN. 10:00 > 18:00 Cold Room of the Former Slaughterhouse Rue de la Trouille, 17 7000 Mons +32 (0)65 39 59 39 www.mons2015.eu I D LIKE TO BUY OR BOOK A TICKET Price: 2 / 1 You can also obtain a Mons 2015 Pass valid for 1 year: SOLO PASS = individual pass. From 3 to 21 entry tickets. DUO PASS = pass for two people. From 6 to 42 entry tickets. FAMILY PASS = pass for a family (minimum 1 adult + 2 children and maximum 2 adults + 5 children (under 18). From 9 to 63 entry tickets. * The PASS gives you a preferential rate and priority access to performances. It is transferable, flexible and valid throughout the year. Please note, the PASS is not an entry ticket. How to reserve and buy your tickets Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 20:00 (including public holidays) at the ticket office by telephone: +32 (0)65 39 59 39 Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 18pm at the ticket Anciens Abattoirs (place of the exhibition) 7 days / week, 24 hrs / day via www.mons2015.eu Booking a group visit or guided tour : Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 17.30 by telephone : +32 (0)65 35 34 88 by email : groupes@ville.mons.be

9 team hollywood of THE FOOT THE SLAGHEAP CURATOR Philippe Reynart WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SPONSORING AUTHORITIES Elio Di Rupo Mayor of the City of Mons Rudy Demotte Minister-President of the Wallonia- Brussels Federation Joëlle Milquet Minister of Culture of the Wallonia- Brussels Federation Paul Magnette Minister-President of Wallonia Serge Hustache President of the Provincial College ORGANISING COMMITTEE Yves Vasseur General Commissioner of the Mons 2015 Foundation Marie Noble Deputy Artistic Commissioner of the Mons 2015 Foundation Philippe Degeneffe Deputy General Commissioner of the Mons 2015 Foundation Xavier Roland Artistic project leader for the Mons 2015 Exhibitions Murielle Laurent Coordinator of the Mons 2015 Exhibitions Alice Cantigniau Coordinator of the Mons 2015 Exhibitions GENERAL COORDINATION OF THE EXHIBITION Charlotte Benedetti Project Manager Mons 2015 Exhibitions Arnaud Godart Project Manager Mons 2015 Exhibitions EXHIBITION PRODUCTION The Mons 2015 Foundation joined forces with Warner Bros Entertainment and Wallimage for the production of this exhibition. EXHIBITION PARTNERS Bright Fish, Cine Vox, Eye Light. STAGE DESIGN AND CONCEPTION Atelier Blink: Emilie Lecouturier and Céline Poncelet Monsieur & Madame Productions: Sabine Dupont & Emmanuel De Meulemeester. STAGE PRODUCTION Atelier Blink: Emilie Lecouturier and Céline Poncelet Monsieur & Madame Productions: Sabine Dupont & Emmanuel De Meulemeester. Mathieu Gabiot, Martin Lévêque, Tessa Poncelet assisted by Anaëlle Vanden Bemden and Rémy Ruyfflaert. SOUNDTRACK PRODUCTION Gaspard De Meulemeester. PHILIPPE REYNART S STAND UP PRODUCTION Savina Dellicour Directing and editing Colin Lévêque Chief Operator Edwin Van den Hove Grip Gaspard De Meulemeester Sound François Zajega Programming Thanks to: Eye-Lite Group, Panique, KGS for lending the equipment. ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND COLLECTING OF TESTIMONIES Picturimage: Rino Noviello. CATALOGUE CONCEPT Messier 111: Pascal Lebrun. HOLLYWOOD AT THE FOOT OF THE SLAG HEAD TRANSLATION Kathy Vanderlelst and the entire team at BranTra. COMMUNICATION Charlotte Jacquet Head of the Communications Department Mons 2015 Géraldine Simonet, Marie Bertouil and Aurélie Lambermont Communication officers Mons 2015 Exhibitions Charline Cauchie and Johan Vreys Press Officers Mons 2015. And the entire Communications Team for Mons 2015. EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT Joanna Karcher General Manager Mons 2015 Exhibitions and the Management Team of the Museum Pole. MEDIATION Joëlle Laurant and the team of animators of Dynamusée. Laurence Herman Cultural Mediator for the Museum Pole. The Public Relations Team of the Mons 2015 Foundation and the Museum Pole. Jean-Christophe Rouvet Head of the Service to the Public and the SAP Team. ADMINISTRATION Stéphane Molinet Head of Department of Admin Support to the projects. Thibault De Coninck Administrative Assistant Mons 2015 Exhibitions. Madicken Deham Head of Public Procurement. Etienne Calomme Head of Public Procurement and Insurance. Dany Vancraen Commission Executive Assistant

Mons 2015 PRESS FILE 10 SECURITY Alexandre Mbo and Jean-Manuel Fastrez, Head of Security for the Museum Pole, and the Internal Safety Team of Wardens. PARTNERSHIPS Gaétan Jacquemin Project Leader Partnerships Virginie Parijs Project Leader Partnerships TOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Caroline Kadziola Head of the International Relations / Tourism Pole, assisted by Ornella Mancini and Hélène Lambin. Natacha Vandenberghe Head of the Tourism Office and her team. 2015 Foundation), Laetitia Grard, Chantalle Vandevelde and the teams of the Royal Library of Belgium. We also wish to give special thanks to all the witnesses who made it possible to reliving the experience of the film shoot: Mrs Françoise Busieau, Monique Caudron, Anne Delfosse, Mauricette Dieu, Gisella Sanchi, Liliane Saussez, Renéa Stevenart, Liliane Vandevelde and Mr Guy Baltus, Jean-Pierre Bertiaux, Alfred Brion, Viktor Cygalek, Jean Genevois, Pierre Lemal, Marcel Nazé, Jacques Stiénevart, Robert Vilain and their families and relatives. PARTENAIRES DU PROJET HOLLYWOOD AU PIED DU TERRIL THANKS TO Michel Leempoel and Jacques Noël who, respectively, made it possible for us to access the archives of Ciné-Télé-Revue and to the Francis Bolen Fund from the Centre of Documentation Grand Angle, Senator Chris J. Dodd and Olivier Dock (MPAA), David Brander, Elisabeth Digati, Gabriel Pasette, Guenter Backes, Ned Price, Céline Morel, Louise van de Haert, Julie Girardot and Katinka Sarkozy (Warner Bros Entertainment), Nicola Mazzanti and Jean-Paul Dorchain (Royal Cinematek of Belgium), André Huet (Mémoires inédites), Fabrice Montebello (University of Lorraine), Patrick Van Dijck, Philippe Adam-Leenaerdt and Denis Huygens (Brightfish), Henri de Gerlache, Bernard de Launoit and Virginie Chapelle (Alizé Productions), André-Marie Poncelet, Jean- Pierre Dérison (Wallimage), André Ceutterick (Province of Hainaut), Giovanna Corda (Commune of Boussu), Isabelle Delvaux (Mons

11 partners OFFICIAL PARTNERS PROJECT PARTNERS OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS PROJECT SUPPLIERS MEDIA PARTNERS FOUNDING INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS PROJECT MEDIAPARTNERS

Mons 2015 PRESS FILE 12 CONTACTS CHARLINE CAUCHIE Press officer (FR) +32 (0)479 77 42 23 charline.cauchie@mons2015.eu JOHAN VREYS Press officer (NL) +32 (0)474 63 66 41 johan.vreys@mons2015.eu BE CULTURE (SPCC) Lore Lambrechts & Charlotte Materne, Project Coordinators Séverine Provost, General Manager + 32 (0)2 644 61 91 + 32 (0)478 43 66 67 info@beculture.be FONDATION MONS 2015 106 Rue de Nimy 7000 Mons (Belgique) www.mons2015.eu Executive editor : Yves Vasseur