The Enlightened Screen: Catherine Martin

Catherine Martin appears at CFI's 'Enlightened Screen' June 20

The Canadian Film Institute’s series “The Enlightened Screen” continues this month with its third installment. The CFI welcomes Catherine Martin in June to participate in its ongoing guest series that celebrates Canada’s independent filmmakers. Ottawans should be especially interested in coming out for a screening and discussion of Martin’s films because she hails from Hull, Quebec, i.e. just across the river from the 613. Martin, the first  Québécois  filmmaker to join appear at The Enlightened Screen after filmmakers Gary Burns and Peter Mettler, has been especially influential in bringing notice to contemporary Canadian and Québécois films. Most recently, Martin participated in the Canadian 2011 anthology film The National Parks Project, in which Canadian filmmakers and musicians collaborated in tribute to Canada’s National Parks. Her most recent feature, Trois temps d’après la mort d’Anna (Mourning for Anna) was named one of Canada’s Top Ten films in 2010 by the Toronto International Film Festival. Anna had a limited run here in Ottawa (just the CTT screenings), so the CFI screening poses a great chance for local film buffs to see and discuss renowned work from a local talent. Come join the intimate and enlightening film club of the CFI, as Martin will be in attendance for the June 20 screenings.

Screening in the third installment of “The Enlightened Screen” are:

Mourning for Anna (Trois temps d’aprè la mort d’Anna)

2010 | 97 min.

Thursday, June 20 at 7:00 pm

After vibrant young violinist Anna dies, her mother Françoise leaves Montreal and takes refuge at the country home of her maternal ancestors in Kamouraska. She has given up on life, but an old friend labours to revive her desire to live.

The Spirit of Places (L’esprit des lieux)

2006 | 84 min.

Thursday, June 20 at 9:00 pm

In 1970, Gabor Szilasi, a Quebec photographer of Hungarian origin, travelled to Charlevoix, Quebec and photographed the last signs of a rural way of life that was in danger of extinction. Thirty-five years later, filmmaker Catherine Martin returns to the area and focuses on the landscapes, places and people Szilasi photographed. The film traces his photographic route taking the measure of what remains and what has disappeared.

In the Cities (Dans les villes)

2006 | 88 min.

Saturday, June 22 at 7:00 pm

Fanny, a lonely and melancholy tree care specialist living in Montreal, enjoys life-changing encounters with her neighbors and fellow wanderers of the city’s busy streets.

The Ladies of the 9^th Floor

1998 | 60 min.

Saturday, June 22 at 8:45 pm

A documentary that explores the lives of the women who worked and ate in the restaurant on Eaton’s 9th floor.

Ocean (Océan)

2002 | 50 min. (no dialogue)

Saturday, June 22 at 8:45 pm

A documentary that follows the journey of a night train from Montreal to Halifax.

All screenings will take place at the Auditorium at 395 WellingtonStreet in Ottawa. 

Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for members, seniors, and students.

Please visit www.cfi-icf.ca for more information.