The Final Cut | Farewell program artistic director David Deprez

"Just before my departure, I take one last look back at 25 years of shared love for cinema. I prefer to do so with films rather than words, selecting three favourites that not only reflect my own taste but also embody the Lumière signature.

Sunrise represents my love for melodrama (yes, indeed), the aesthetics of the silent film era, and the experience of live film music. It is also a tribute to composer Kevin Toma—by now a true friend of the house—who has delighted us many times with his live accompaniment of remarkable film classics.

Holy Motors, in turn, showcases the ability of filmmakers to challenge our perspective on life in a profoundly philosophical way. And what is cinema, after all? Nothing remains certain after witnessing this often-misunderstood French masterpiece.

Finally, the breathtakingly beautiful and deeply sincere family drama Yi Yi by Edward Yang is not only my personal ‘greatest film of all time’, but it also ignited such a profound love for cinema that, exactly twenty-five years ago, it inspired me to dedicate my working life largely to showcasing films that can truly enrich audiences. With this final screening, the circle is, as they say, complete."

— David Deprez, March 2025