16/06/2006

The Musée du Cinéma and the Cinémathèque Royale de Belgique will close their doors from July 16 and reopen on September 1, 2007. Museum curator Gabrielle Claes yesterday presented the renovation project the press that will respect the original architecture designed by Baron Horta during the construction of the Palais des Beaux-Arts. The project will include the sheltered wing which today houses the film museum.

The main goal of the operation is "to improve screening conditions" while remaining in the Palais des Beaux Arts. While relocation was not on the menu, it was time to modernise the theatres in the Museum, founded in 1962 by Jacques Ledoux. The projection booths will be expanded and become better equipped, with digital technology in particular, and it will be possible to screen talking films in two theatres, which is currently not possible in the small room of the Cinémathèque reserved for silent films.

The "Cinémathèque hors les murs" policy initiated by the director will be developed during the closure of the museum, with certain screenings moved to several other theatres in Brussels, while programming at the Palais des Beaux Arts and at the Studio Flagey continues.

Flagey’s summer programme includes Italian classics, while the Cinémathèque's activities include young audience screenings, educational activities, and screenings of cinema classics are lined up.

(Translated from French)