The world premiere screening of “LUMIÈRE, L’AVENTURE CONTINUE!” took place last night in Paris at the Cinémathèque Française. Directed, produced, and narrated by Thierry Frémaux, this extraordinary film celebrates the pioneering work of the Lumière brothers, offering a rare glimpse into the origins of cinema.
Bringing these revolutionary early films back to the big screen, “LUMIÈRE, L’AVENTURE CONTINUE!” showcases the groundbreaking work of Auguste and Louis Lumière, whose legacy continues to captivate more than a century after they first astonished audiences with moving pictures. Curated by Frémaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival and the Institut Lumière, this special screening presented 114 films from their vast collection, meticulously restored in 4K.
From the earliest experiments in storytelling to the origins of techniques still used in filmmaking today, “LUMIÈRE, L’AVENTURE CONTINUE!” is more than a retrospective—it’s a vivid journey into the birth of cinema. Through rare and iconic footage, viewers can witness the everyday life of the late 19th century, the emergence of mise-en-scène, and even the first examples of special effects. Frémaux’s engaging narration adds depth and historical context, illuminating the Lumières’ groundbreaking contributions.
This screening offered a unique opportunity to experience cinema as it was first imagined—on the big screen, where its magic truly comes alive. Whether you’re a film lover, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the origins of visual storytelling, “LUMIÈRE, L’AVENTURE CONTINUE!” is an essential watch.
In attendance at the premiere were Thierry Frémaux, Costa-Gavras (President of the Cinémathèque Française), Rachida Dati (Ministre de la Culture), Gaëtan Bruel (Director of the CNC), Irène Jacob (President of the Institut Lumière), and Henry Arnaud (President of the Golden Globe Foundation).
In her opening remarks, Culture Minister Rachida Dati underscored the essential role of audiences in keeping the cinematic experience alive and thriving:
“Tonight, we celebrate the first films in the history of cinema. I want us to also celebrate its audience this year. I want 2025 to be the year of a new impetus for cinephilia in France. A lively and generous cinephilia. A cinephilia that is part of our tradition, but which also renews it. A cinephilia that crosses generations and social backgrounds. A cinephilia that speaks to all audiences and is aimed at young people. It is this cinephilia that you defend, dear Irène, dear Costa, in these two temples of cinema that are the Institut Lumière and the Cinémathèque française.”
Thank you for loving and respecting these films, for not pirating them, and for not colorizing them.
The restoration of the Lumière films was supported by the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image as part of selective aid for the digitization of cinematographic heritage works.
It also benefited from the support of the Heritage Foundation, thanks to sponsorship from the TotalEnergies Foundation.
It was made possible thanks to the support of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (now the Golden Globe Foundation).
4K restorations were carried out by Maelle Arnaud and Thierry Frémaux for the Institut Lumière, with the participation of the CNC Heritage Department, and executed by L’Immagine Ritrovata (Bologna, Italy), based on negative and positive elements from the collections of the Institut Lumière, the Cinémathèque Française, and the CNC.
Images courtesy of Henry Arnaud.
