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Eileen Hofer, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Charlie makes three
Culture

Eileen Hofer, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Charlie makes three

Monday, 05 June 2017
By Flavia Giovannelli
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4 min read

Filmmaker and journalist Eileen Hofer is now also a “friend” of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Throughout July, she is presenting “Tomorrow the Birds Will Sing” at Chaplin’s World in Vevey, Switzerland.

Eileen Hofer is a refreshing whirlwind of energy. This talented Swiss filmmaker has always been passionate about art in general, and cinema in particular. Her latest film, Horizontes, a documentary on classical ballet in Cuba, has, like her previous productions, won numerous awards. This summer, however, all eyes will be on her installation for the Chaplin’s World museum in Switzerland.

How did you become involved with Jaeger-LeCoultre?

Jaeger-LeCoultre is partner to the Chaplin’s World museum in Vevey. I was one of the guests at the opening gala last year, and over the course of the evening several people from the brand chatted to me about my work. The press officer for Switzerland was actually very familiar with what I do, and mentioned she would like to support me with my projects.

And was she serious?

Whenever things seem to be going too well, the first thing I ask myself is “where’s the catch?”! [laughs]. Joking aside, I’d known Jaeger-LeCoultre for a long time already, both the Manufacture itself, which seems to operate pretty much as a family business, and its involvement with cinema. I’ve also had the privilege to be invited to film festivals and other events, initially as a journalist, that Jaeger-LeCoultre was supporting. These are always very pleasant occasions. I have great memories of the Venice Film Festival and getting to meet different actors and actresses.

Good times, then?

Yes, except that somehow I was always late for the screenings. I can still see that huge Jaeger-LeCoultre clock at the Lido, which of course was always exactly on time, and there was I, late again!

"Tomorrow the birds will sing" - Chaplin’s World – Corsier-sur-Vevey July 17th -August 17th 2017
You've just completed a project for Chaplin's World, with the support of Jaeger-LeCoultre, titled Tomorrow the Birds Will Sing. What's it about?

It’s a first-time experience for me; an installation of screens showing rushes filmed in Cuba alongside legendary scenes from Charlie Chaplin’s films. It’s my way of paying tribute and showing how Chaplin still has such universal appeal.

How did you go about the project?

In 2015 I went to Cuba to make Horizontes, a documentary on classical ballet. While I was there, I filmed scenes that had nothing to do with ballet but I sensed I’d be able to do something with them one day. These were more intimate glimpses of Cuban society. This is a country that has huge respect for culture. I met people living in run-down apartments who had this immense love of culture. The idea for the project came from the aesthetic contrasts between a Cuban father who wouldn’t let anyone else in the family choose what to watch on TV and the final speech in The Great Dictator, or twin girls watching The Kid. I did the same thing for the soundtrack, choosing music from Chaplin’s films, played on the piano, and contrasting that with Cuban street sounds.

Eileen Hofer © Jaeger-LeCoultre
It must have taken a long time to select the scenes you wanted to use.

Especially as I took notes while watching them. Like everyone else, I’d always been struck by the subtle changes in mood, how he succeeds in making you laugh one minute and cry the next. This time, I watched each scene as a filmmaker myself, with the aim of understanding his method. How, without any of the resources we have today, did he succeed in sparking such very real emotion?

Did you work to guidelines?

Not at all. Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Museum put absolute faith in me and gave me carte blanche. By the end of the project, I felt I was haunted by Chaplin’s tramp character. Wherever I looked he was there, watching over me.

So it all went like clockwork?

It certainly looks that way! Watchmakers are meticulous, obsessed with perfection, and there are similarities between their work and that of a filmmaker.

Are you planning more projects with Jaeger-LeCoultre?

First of all there’s the preview at Chaplin’s World on July 17th. The exhibition then runs until August 17th. Next there’s the Venice Film Festival and after that, well, it’s a blank page waiting for the spark of a good idea.

Tomorrow the Birds Will Sing
Temporary exhibition by Eileen Hofer
Chaplin’s World – Corsier-sur-Vevey
July 17th – August 17th 2017

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