Founded in 2002, the Home Movies – Archivio Nazionale del Film di Famiglia in Bologna is committed to the conservation of home movies and amateur films. In addition to preserving and digitising small-gauge reels for members of the public, they play an active role in the research and dissemination of amateur and non- theatrical films. That’s right! It’s an entire archive dedicated solely to unofficial, local and personal histories captured on 8mm, Super 8, 9.5 and 16mm!
To kick off their fantastic season of archival programming, Archivio Aperto 2017 / X edizione, they screened a beautiful compilation of historical wedding films from approximately the 1950s to the 1980s, which were accompanied by audio interviews with brides from the past. Discussing everything from wedding day jitters and near disasters to delicate dresses and slow dances, these interviewees relived all the delights and disappointments from their special day. This evocative mix of audio and visual, the past and the present, left us with a strange sense of nostalgia for the memories of complete strangers.
Following the screening, the archive was open for guided public tours and a Scopitone show! We were astounded by the collection of international cameras and projectors on display: from various Bell and Howell, Bolex and Elmo models to a Leitz Cinovid projector and an Agfa Movector for Super 16mm. The archive is a rich depository of not just home movies, but also the technologies that made them possible.
Especially for you, we have put together this shiny gallery of photos from the tour.
Be sure to check out the Archivo Aperto programme this year, which is almost six weeks of amateur magic. As if you didn’t have enough of a reason to visit Bologna!
Photo Credits: The Peeping Archivist
With special thanks to Paolo Simoni, Rossella Catanes, Mirco Santi, Lucia Tralli, Giuseppe Fara and the rest of team at the Archivio Nazionale del Film di Famiglia
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