Angénieux at Cannes

Angéenieux team at Cannes, from left to right: Dominique Rouchon-Picariello, International Sales Director; Jacques Durand, Business Director; Philippe Parain, Angenieux President, Linda Carriel, model; Edith Bertrand, Communication Manager, Jean-Yves Le Poulain (in foreground), Product Line Manager.

Thales-Angénieux was busy at the Cannes Film Festival last month, unveiling a new lens and new logo with colors that matched the red carpet.

Angénieux showed the new Optimo 45-120 mm T2.8 lightweight zoom on Thursday, May 12 at a demo conducted in the CST booth from 12 to 3 pm. This is the third in the line of lightweight Optimo zooms, joining the 15-40 mm T2.6 and 28-70 mm T2.6. Optimo zooms are the size and weight of many primes: about 8 inches long and 4.3 lbs. They are compatible with all current 35mm film and digital motion picture cameras. The new lens extends the range with longer focal lengths, and is excellent for close-ups.

right to left: Pierre William Glenn, AFC. Jean-Yves le Poulain. Philippe Parain

Pierre William Glenn, AFC, said the new 45-120 mm zoom lens was “amazing.” He discussed impressive tests conducted the previous week at CST.

CST is Commision supérieure technique de l’image et du son. It is a non-profit association of professionals committed to testing image and sound from capture to release. It’s a technical organization somewhat along the lines of SMPTE or the AMPAS Sci-Tech Committee.

Pierre William Glenn is a former president of the Association of French Cinematographers. He was cinematographer on Truffaut’s “Day for Night,” Costa-Gavras’ “State of Siege,” Joseph Losey’s “Monsieur Klein,” and many other features.

During the presentation, CST and Angénieux also announced the creation of “twin” laboratories in Paris and Saint-Héand for testing digital cameras and their lenses. Using MireAnalysis software, both labs provide real-time viewing of live images with a calibrated monitor or digital projector. The facilities will be made available to cinematographers and professionals to test their cameras and lenses.

The same day, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Kodak and Angénieux hosted a gathering on the yacht Sunny Dream.

The Angénieux crew showed a group of producers how zoom lenses can decrease production costs by saving time (fewer lens changes, lighter weight).

Meanwhile, back at the Red Carpet, Angénieux zoom lenses were used on many Cannes films, including this partial list:

Opening Film

“Midnight in Paris.” Director: Woody Allen. DP: Darius Khondji, AFC, ASC. Lens: Optimo 17-80.

Official Selection

“L’Apollonide.” Director: Bertrand Bonello. DP: Josée Deshaies. Lens: Optimo 17-80. Rental Company: TSF.

“La source des femmes.” Director: Radu Mihaileanu. DP: Glynn Speeckaert, SBC. Lens:  Optimo 28-76 and Optimo 24-290.  Rental Company: TSF.

“L’Exercice de l’Etat.” Director: Pierre Schoeller. DP: Julien Hirsch, AFC. Lens:  Optimo 28-76. Rental Company: TSF.

Semaine de la Critique and Special Screenings

“La guerre est déclarée.” Director: Valérie Donzetti. DP: Sébastien Buchmann. Lens: Optimo 28-76. Rental Company: TSF.

Out of competition

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” Director: Rob Marshall. DP: Dariusz Wolski, ASC. Lenses: Optimo 15-40 and Optimo 28-76.

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