After opening his first theater in the revolutionary aftermath of May 1968, Marin Karmitz has continued to advance the cause of film through MK2, an independent, family-owned company that operates the most prestigious art cinemas in France, manages a catalog of classics that includes work by Chaplin, Truffaut, Chabrol, and Kieślowski, and continues to produce films of personal vision without regard for national boundaries. In celebration of the upcoming 40th anniversary of MK2’s founding, MoMA is pleased to offer Mr. Karmitz a “carte blanche” selection of his favorites among the films he has produced, distributed, or directed.
“It’s the dream of every film producer to be honored in New York, and for the second time I am thrilled to be invited by the legendary haven of modern art—MoMA! Three decades have passed since the first MK2 retrospective at the Museum, during which I presented the premiere of Claude Chabrol’s Une Affaire de femmes (Story of Women), which went on to be a critical and box office success in the United States. I’ve attempted to be equal to this homage: among the 110 films that I have produced, I am pleased to present a few that are especially dear to me. They are directed by artists for whom I have great admiration and warm friendship. Together, I hope we’ve contributed our part to the history of cinema” (Marin Karmitz, February 2014).
Organized by Dave Kehr, Adjunct Curator, and Sophie Cavoulacos, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Film, with thanks to MK2.
The exhibition is supported in part by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States.