July 1, 2012, 12 Noon @ Maryrest Cemetery (770 Darlington Ave. Mahwah, NJ)
Birthday commemoration at the gravesite of Alice Guy Blaché and unveiling of new gravesite marker.
2 PM @ The Fort Lee Museum (1588 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ)
Alice Guy- Blaché birthday barbecue and reception for closing of our Reel Jersey Girl exhibit.
AGB Bday
Celebrate the First Woman Director in Cinema History on Her July 1st Birthday and Help Us Unveil a New Grave Site Marker
Fort Lee, NJ −The Fort Lee Film Commission is sponsoring a July 1st series of events celebrating the birthday of early cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blaché, who built and operated Solax Studio in Fort Lee, NJ. Alice Guy-Blaché, the first woman director in cinema history, made magic at her Fort Lee Solax Studio from 1912 through 1918, producing, directing, and writing hundreds of short and feature length films. Madame Blaché is just one reminder of New Jersey’s rich film history, and more specifically Fort Lee’s role in founding the modern-day film industry.
This year, we celebrate the centennial of the opening Solax Studio, built and operated by Madame Blaché in Fort Lee. The Fort Lee Film Commission has raised funds to place a new marker on the gravesite of Madame Blaché at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ. This marker will include the logo of her Solax Studio and a new inscription will indicate that Madame Blaché is a cinema pioneer. This celebration of the life and impressive body of work of Alice Guy Blaché will raise awareness of her role in world cinema and of New Jersey’s role as the Birthplace of the American film industry.
These events will take place on July 1st, in celebration of the trailblazing and innovative filmmaking career of Madame Blaché:
12 Noon @ Maryrest Cemetery (770 Darlington Ave. Mahwah, NJ)
Birthday commemoration at the gravesite of Alice Guy Blaché and unveiling of new gravesite marker.
2 PM @ The Fort Lee Museum (1588 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ)
Alice Guy- Blaché birthday barbecue and reception for closing of our Reel Jersey Girl exhibit.
Guest speakers include Alice Guy- Blaché biographer Alison McMahan, Christina Kotlar of New York Women in Film & Television, Nancy O’Mallon, CEO and President of About Harvest LLC, Fort Lee Film Commission member & Rutgers University Professor of film Richard Koszarski and Fort Lee Film Commission Executive Director Tom Meyers.
These events are free to the public. Visit www.fortleefilm.org for further info or call the Film Commission for ticket info at (201) 693-2763.
“Before Hollywood there was Fort Lee—America's first film town.”
CONTACT:
Contact: Tom Meyers – Fort Lee Film Commission Executive Director
Fort Lee Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs
Phone #: (201) 693-2763
E-mail: [email protected]