EPFL Library presents SHS student documentaries
A scene from the film "Les joueurs d’échecs" by Martin Järmann © 2019 Martin Järmann
On June 4, the EPFL Library showed five documentary films created by students in the master’s level course, Artistic Practices, which is part of the College of Humanities Social and Human Sciences program.
As part of the Artistic Practices course, taught by SHS instructor Nicolas Nova, students have the option of participating in an introductory documentary filmmaking workshop led by Lionel Rupp.
A former student of the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD), Rupp directed the 2017 political documentary « Battre la campagne » (“Beat the Campaign”) and co-directed the 2015 film “Heimatland” (“Homeland”).
During the workshop, which was held in part on the HEAD premises in Geneva, students had the opportunity to define a “personal cinematic approach” using technical tools taught during the course to develop their own independent projects. Five of these, summarized below, were selected for the special presentation by the EPFL Library.
The SHS program, administered by the College of Humanities, is an integral part of EPFL bachelor’s and master’s study plans. It offers students around 150 courses covering a wide range of humanities and social sciences subjects, from film and philosophy to history, cultural studies and more.
« La Promesse » (“The Promise”) by Zuzanna Hirsztritt
Two women live on different floors of the same building, and for several years, each morning they have coffee together. This ritual, initiated by a promise, reveals their stories and relationships.
« Les joueurs d’échecs » (“The Chess Players”) by Martin Järmann
This film is an immersion in the hearts of chess players in a popular place: Geneva’s Bastions Park. Friends meet to share moments, discuss weekend matches, and – above all – to win.
« Saloua » by Dylan Ifergan
Saloua tattoos various people in her shop. More precisely, she is a fan of Handpoke, a hand-tattoing technique. A group of friends comes to learn how to tattoo themselves. The afternoon unfolds in a relaxed and light atmosphere. A tattoo artist gets on the table and an evening in the studio will reveal part of the tattooist’s world.
« Sur le chantier » (“On the Construction Site”) by Gaël Zuber
This film reveals a world apart, where man confronts the massive scale of construction. The site is a world in itself, which obeys its own rules. In this enclosed space, forbidden to the public, danger can come from all sides and from the sky. The story unfolds in the Lausanne region, in a land overturned by bulldozers and dotted with cranes. On site, large structures and machines dominate the space. One discovers, bit by bit, the men working at the mercy of cold and winter. The size of the workers contrasts with the immensity of the space.
« Maison-camion » (“House-Truck”) by Sarah Niepieklo
Samuel lives in his truck. He realizes his dream of living simply. We discover his daily life, the interactions with other people, his relationship with nature. He reveals his hopes and plans related to his lifestyle.