Curating moving images: Laurent Mannoni on his Archaeology of the Cinema

In 2024, the 30th anniversary of Laurent Mannoni’s seminal work The Great Art of Light and Shadow: Archaeology of the Cinema was marked. Published in 1994 on the occasion of the centenary of cinema, the book is a cornerstone in the study of the origins of moving images, drawing on extensive archival research and an intimate understanding of cinematic technology. Mannoni’s approach resonates with the broader field of Media Archaeology as it explored the rich tapestry of innovation and experimentation that preceded the dominant narratives of cinema’s birth. Victor Flores and Beatriz Saraiva engage Mannoni in a retrospective that spans his decades-long career at the Cinémathèque française, where he has played a pivotal role in exploring, preserving, and celebrating the material history of cinema. From his serendipitous early encounters with luminaries like Lotte Eisner to his passion for resurrecting forgotten technologies, Mannoni shares insights into his methodology, the evolution of media archaeology, and the enduring importance of objects like the magic lantern in understanding cinema’s trajectory. As Mannoni reflects on the challenges of conserving film heritage and the role of new technologies, he offers a vision for the future: the dream of a comprehensive French cinema museum, a space that bridges the gap between past and present while honoring the universal art of moving images. This interview took place over a video call connecting Lisbon and Paris on 25 October. It provides a tribute to his life’s work and an invitation to reconsider the intricate interplay of light, motion, and machinery that defines the cinematic experience.