In this edition of our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC) Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Ece Ger, a graduate of our Film MA. The Turkish filmmaker tells us how she ended up studying abroad in Paris and how the experience at PSAC led to the making of her first film, Meeting Jim, a moving documentary on Jim Haynes, an important figure in the Paris cultural and expat community. Jim Haynes sadly passed away at the beginning of 2021 and a tribute screening of the film will be held virtually, via the film’s website and on BBC Scotland ,from 5 to 8 March, 2021. Further details on this at the end of Ece’s interview below.
Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?
I am from Istanbul, Turkey, but was born in Wien, Austria. My initial plan was to apply for the Kent MA programme which takes place in Canterbury for the whole three terms. However, an alumni friend of mine shared his own Paris experience with me and advised me to choose the Paris MA programme to submit. I am so glad that I listened to his advice and had the opportunity to study film in Paris at Reid Hall.
What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?
Diving into the history of French Cinema, having the chance to observe the connections between one of the most cinematic cities in the world and cinema, discovering how they influenced each other… exploring all these new aspects is what attracted me the most about studying at PSAC.
“The Burghers of Calais” by Rodin, photo by Tommy O’Donogue
What were some of the highlights of your experience?
The most important highlight of my experience was the lecture of Frances Guerin called “Modernism and Paris”. I remember being so inspired not only by learning about the early history of cinema but also by starting to perceive the cinematographic connections between the past and the present time in the city of Paris.
As Kent film students, we had access to the Cinémathèque Française. Going there several times a week to work on my thesis was one of the highlights of my time in Paris. Spending time at the Cinémathèque inspired and motivated me to learn more about my research topic, to discover a tiny bit of the film ocean while enjoying the delicious tartines at Les 400 Coups, the restaurant of the Cinémathèque.
I also remember the day which our art professor took us to the Rodin Museum. That day, my classmate Tommy O’Donogue took a photo of “The Burghers of Calais”, which won the photography award at the end of the year. While listening to the story of those burghers waiting to be executed, I saw the photograph Tommy took. In the frame, there was only the sculpture and the gaze of one of our classmates. Suddenly, that photograph became a bridge in my mind than connected those hopeless people and our classmate. It was one of those moments to realise how the information was transmitted between generations through any medium of art. The past and the present moment could get really close to each other, even intertwine through one image, through one story or a film. I never forgot that moment of realisation which was a true inspiration for me.
Last but not least, I met Jim Haynes through the guest professor Dina Iordinova who gave a seminar at Reid Hall. Frances Guerin introduced me to her after the seminar and Dina Iordinova introduced me to Jim Haynes, who was going to become the subject of my first feature-length documentary.
Excerpts from the Q&A and screening of Meeting Jim held at Reid Hall in March 2019
What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?
I am writing a comedy story full of spontaneous encounters that take place in Paris and a few more cities. During these difficult pandemic days, it’s the best way for me to stay optimistic.
Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?
The word help is not enough to describe the influence of PSAC on me and on my journey as a filmmaker. If I would have to come up with one sentence with the word “career”, I’d say, my career came to life at Reid Hall. All the adventure started there back in 2015.
Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?
I would recommend to all the potential students to leave everything else and run to PSAC to feel inspired, to get connected, to gain deeper knowledge in their own fields and to discover their true passions and interests.
Meeting Jim – Free Screening 5-8 March, 2021
To mark the two-month anniversary of Jim Haynes passing, a screening of the film is being organised. Here’s how you can view it:
- IF YOU ARE BASED IN THE UK, the broadcast will take place at 21:00 (London time) 6 March simultaneously on BBC Scotland, Freeview/YouView, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and BBC iPlayer. After that, the documentary will be available on BBC iPlayer for a limited period of time.
- FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, the film will be available to watch for free here on www.meetingjim.com for 72 hours, starting from 19:00 Paris time on Friday, 5 March until 19:00 Paris time on Monday, 8 March.
Merci beaucoup Ece!
Connect with or follow Ece and her projects on:
Meeting Jim – Official Website