MUSÉE LUMIÈRE, LYON

The Musée Lumière is housed in the former residence of the Lumière brothers who are credited with having invented the motion picture. The museum takes you on a historical journey where you see original motion picture cameras (the cinematograph having been invented by the brothers), projections of the earliest films ever made and more.

On the first floor a film is displayed where renowned French art of the era is juxtaposed with the first films ever made showing how both painter and film maker were inspired by the same contemporary themes. One example was the Card Players (1894-1895) by Cezanne which was juxtaposed with the short film Partie de cartes (1895).

In another room more early films are screened such as the Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1895) which startled audiences at the time as the train moved towards them. Another was Tables Turned on the Gardener (1895) which is considered the first ever comedic film, where a child plays a prank on a gardener with a garden hose. However the film that is considered a pivotal moment in cinematic history, marking the start of commercial filmmaking, as the film was screened to a paying audience for the first time, was Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory (1895). Two versions of this film were presented.

Photograph by Paula Tsoni

Louis Lumière also invented and developed photostereosynthesis (c.1920), a technique which is seen as a predecessor to modern holography. The museum displayed an example of this: multiple, overlaid glass plates depicting a portrait photograph, equally spaced apart, created a hologram-like head.

Louis Lumière also studied the anaglyphic system (although he did not invent it) which is the technique where glasses with coloured lenses are used to view images in order to create a 3D effect. Two such images that I saw wearing the glasses are shown below, titled "relief" photographs.

On the property's exterior wall called Mur des Cinéastes on the rue du Premier‑Film, there is display of copper plaques naming various renowned professionals of the film industry. All have visited the Musée Lumière in Lyon normally by invitation for a retrospective, tribute, screening or to receive the Prix Lumière. They are honoured by having their name erected on the wall. This showcases how the site is somewhat of a global pilgrimage spot for those in the film industry who honour its significance regarding the history of cinema.