Bruce Experiences: French Film Series: 1874, The Birth of Impressionism

Focus on French Cinema 2025 ( FFC2025) , the annual festival of Premiere French and Francophone films presented by the Alliance Française of Greenwich, celebrates the 20th edition with a new partnership with The Bruce Museum and the Bruce Experiences French Film Series.

The event is Sunday, February 23, 2025, 2:00-4:00 pm in the Gale and Robert H. Lawrence Jr, and Pamela and Robert Goergen Auditorium at the Bruce Museum. Refreshments will be served.

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The docufiction “1874, The Birth of Impressionism” retraces the encounter of
the young painters who changed the course of art history.

On April 15, 1874, on the boulevard des Capucines in Paris, in the studio of their friend, the photographer Nadar, some thirty young painters were preparing to present over one hundred and fifty of their works to the public. At the end of a bubbling century, when modernity was emerging, this group of rebellious artists, free of codes, dared to hold an independent exhibition, which was to make headlines.

Impressionism was born. On the occasion of a major exhibition celebrating the event’s 150th anniversary at the Musée d’Orsay in 2024, this documentary looks back at the moment that saw painters such as Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Morisot, Degas, Sisley and Pissarro change art history. (Julien Johan and Hugues Nancy, 2024, French with English language subtitles, DCP, 90 minutes).

Since its inception, Focus on French Cinema (FFC), organized by the Alliance Française of Greenwich, has served as a premier platform for showcasing outstanding French-language films. By offering screenings, workshops, and various cultural initiatives, FFC fosters a deeper connection between diverse audiences and the vibrant world of French cinema.

The Bruce serves as a vibrant hub for cultural and artistic engagement, committed to cultivating spaces where art, dialogue, and community flourish. Its collaboration with FFC highlights a shared mission to celebrate creative expression and build global connections.

Cinema has always been a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural expression, and emotional resonance. Among the world’s many cinematic traditions, few are as celebrated as French and Francophone cinema, renowned for its artistry, depth, and innovation. In a groundbreaking collaboration, The Bruce and Focus on French Cinema (FFC) present a special retrospective event: A Look Back at 20 Years of the Best of French and Francophone Cinema (2005–2025).

This exceptional partnership brings together two leading advocates of cultural enrichment and cinema. The Bruce, a distinguished platform for fostering artistic dialogue, joins forces with Focus on French Cinema, an acclaimed organization devoted to showcasing the diversity and richness of French- language films to international audiences.

Tickets are  free to FFC2025 VIP Pass holders and $10.00 for all other tickets.

Bruce Experiences: French Film Series: 1874, The Birth of Impressionism

The Bruce Museum is located at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich.