Expo 58 seen through the eyes of film-makers who record their times with the fascination of the contemporary observer. The main focus is on the Atomium, the symbol of Expo 58, and also widely symbolic of the new atomic age. On this dvd 10 films by Paul Flon, Gaston Schoukens, amateur filmer Maurice Lefèvre and a whole series of anonymous film-makers. The articles in the book by Marc Reynebeau, Diane Hennebert, Rika Demets, Mil De Kooning and Johanna Kint provide the necessary background and context to the films on the dvd.
CONTENT
Panorama - images from Belgium (Paul Flon, 1959, 4')
Short newsreel by Paul Flon. Retrospective about Expo 58 and its main attraction: the Atomium
Brussels 58 – Humanism (Prod. Prociné, 1957, 13')
Film without words from 1957 which asserts that Expo 58 is heir to the great scientific and humanist tradition of the early Renaissance. From Leonardo da Vinci to the atomic age.
Brussels 58 – For a more human world (Georges Baudouin, 1957, 15')
Expo 58 as a platform for friendship between nations. Film without words about the need for solidarity between rich and poor. The western world should support the development of the third world and join the battle against poverty, war and the destructive results of natural disasters.
Expo news (Frans Nauwelaerts, 1958, 12')
Compilation of material from various newsreels, focussing on aspects of the preparation process: the fair hostesses, the prefab hotel facilities and visitors to the construction site (Jane Mansfield, amongst others).
I’ve seen the Atomium being built (Gaston Schoukens, 1958, 11')
The construction of the Atomium, from December 1956 to April 1958, unfinished documentary by Gaston Schoukens. Abridged version.
Operation Brussels (Jos Van Schoor, 1958, 6')
Overview of the many infrastructure works carried out within the city of Brussels in time for Expo 58. Abridged version.
A fantastic weekend (Gaston Schoukens, 1959, 64')
Mr and Mrs Martin, a couple from Brussels, visit the Expo. Light-hearted report by Gaston Schoukens.
The Lefèvre family visits Expo 58 (Maurice Lefèvre, 1958, 2')
Amateur colour film by Maurice Lefèvre about his family's visit to the Expo. Abridged version.
Expo news (Frans Nauwelaerts, 1958, 12')
Montage of various newsreels covering the opening and closing ceremonies of Expo 58.
Epilogue (BRT, 1962, 2')
Two short interviews, one with composer Pieter Leemans, the other with engineer André Waterkeyn, taken from the television programme ‘Echo’ (21 April 1962, VRT).
Languages: Dutch, French
Subtitles and navigation: English, French, Dutch
Regional code: PAL (region free)