Just a few years ago, they were the meeting place for many directors, actresses, and actors who were setting up parts of their film production in the famous Victorine Studios located in Nice.
Today, apart from the restaurant that proudly displays hundreds of shots with Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot, Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, and so many others, the remnants of cinema have truly disappeared from this part of the hill that witnessed the greats of the 7th art.
Offices, competition sessions, and a few rare shootings, that is the sad lot reserved for studios that still possess the same light sought by many directors of the time.
Nice Premiere met a team of technicians who are waging a fine battle for the “Victorine” to regain its former glory and that finally we might see some cameramen and sound engineers on the Nice hill again.
Where are the Victorine Studios today?
To find out, you would have to ask them!!! What I see is that they have been investing in materials and manpower for months, to make tables for taking exams (+or- 400/450 pieces, they rent the stages and tables)
What was promised by Mr. Barry was undoubtedly not respected, perhaps they, Mr. Peyrat and Mr. Barry, will tell you that it was due to external construction work on the site (see the bypass), but actually, at least at the end of this everything would have been ready!!!
Among other planned investments were the construction of a permanent outdoor cyclorama (Cyclorama: Also called “cyc”. A backdrop of light color, often curved, placed at the back of a stage and lit to produce various effects: sky, fire, colors. Can also be used as a surface on which to project landscapes or effects) and reactivating the large outdoor pool, two very useful tools at the studio because they are RARE in the world!!!
What would be the solutions to revitalize these famous studios?
Just one single thing. A WILL of all (City Hall, Euromedia, and the Alpes-Maritimes film commission)
In your opinion, how would you explain the decline of one of the jewels of international cinema?
Always the same, THE WILL, the city hall which, knowingly, lets things go and only takes note of the declines in numbers, for example the attached report by Mr. Asso (article 7.1)
Euromedia which is not going in the right direction, for information see this interview of Mr. Barry by Mr. Patrick Caradec for “Le Film Français”. You will read the commitments, not kept.
The Film Commission, which is housed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (which makes me say they prefer external teams which helps the hotels and restaurants rather than local technician teams who go home), a rare fact because generally, for example in Marseille, the commission is housed within the city hall or by the general council in other departments. Then the ultimate thing I have never seen elsewhere; both at the film commission and at the studios, they do not speak ENGLISH!!!! An essential language in cinema!!!!
Of course, also, the difficult situation for cinema despite the fact that 2005 admissions were up.
What is missing from the Victorine to attract producers and directors again?
Here also, I believe a joint will could do much better. In any case not worse than what exists today.
What is the message of your collective?
Refer to the adjacent site:
- www.cinefficace.fr.tc
And especially, if you are touched by our action, I kindly ask you to read:
The collective’s letter and ratify it so that we can subsequently make ourselves heard.
Every drop of water is important to fill a glass.
And finally, your wishes for this year 2006?
Our wishes!!! Happiness for all, therefore with everything needed to achieve it, including work.
