PAUL COLIN (1892-1986) INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF CANNES. 1946. 60 1/2x44 1/4 inches, 153 3/4x112 1/2 cm. Bedos & Cie., Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears at edges, one into lower image; minor creases, abrasions and light foxing in image; light staining in corners and upper text. Framed. In a vivid and sophisticated allegorical image, Colin depicts a cameraman whose head is a globe, and whose film is composed of the flags of the world. It is the perfect image to inaugurate what would go on to become the most important international film festival in the world. The Cannes Film Festival was established as a reaction to the Mostra de Venise, an Italian film festival that began in 1930. In 1938, with the fascist regimes of Italy and Germany controlling the outcome of the Venice Festival for propaganda reasons, the outraged French decided to launch a festival of their own, where movies could be screened and enjoyed free of censorship. They chose September 1, 1939 as the opening night of their two-week festival, and Jean-Gabriel Domergue designed a very elegant poster for the event. Unfortunately, Germany invaded Poland on September 1, and within two days Europe was engaged in World War II and the fledgling festival was cancelled. After the war, the festival was re-launched in 1946 and was heralded by this striking creation of Paul Colin. Colin designed a second poster for the festival in 1951. Colin 139, Azur 128.
