The Cinematheque

During his final era of artmarking, Jean-Luc Godard’s principal collaborator and right-hand man was Fabrice Aragno. The multitalented Swiss filmmaker, born in Neuchâtel in 1970, was hired by Godard as a production manager on 2004’s Notre musique shortly after Aragno completed his studies at the prestigious École cantonale d’art de Lausanne. His career has been interlocked with Godard’s ever since. It is he who shot the satiny Costa Concordia passages for Film Socialisme; who developed the image-rupturing stereoscopy for Goodbye to Language; who accepted the first-ever Special Palme d’Or on behalf of Godard for The Image Book. And it is he who has now assumed the daunting but imperative role of being the de facto spokesperson for Godard’s posthumous work, which commenced with Phony Wars and continues with Scénarios, the latter completed the day before the director’s last.

With the support of Swiss Films and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, The Cinematheque is honoured to welcome Fabrice Aragno for a two-night engagement. This program, which serves as the culmination (though not yet conclusion) to our year-spanning ​“JLG Forever” series, will open with the Vancouver premiere of Godard’s latest ​“last” film Scénarios, alongside its making-of companion Exposé du film annonce du film ​“Scénario.” The following evening will be devoted to Godard and Aragno’s medium-expanding 3D innovations, with a screening of Goodbye to Language preceded by its proof-of-concept short Les trois désastres.

In advance of Aragno’s arrival, we have worked with the artist to curate a small exhibition in the vestibule behind our theatre doors. Titled Flamboiement d’automne, it draws from a series of still photographs Aragno took during the autumn of 2021, featuring Godard and his dog Roxy. Also on display is a JLG selfie, too good (and Godardian) to pass up.