See and hear : the journal on audio-visual learning (1945)

A SEE & HEAR REPORT ON THE OFFICE CATHOLIQUE INTERNATIONAL DL CINEMA i Vt h international CATHOLIC FILM CONGRESS BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, JUNE 15-22 THE Office Catholique International du Cinema, founded by the countries represented at the first International Catholic Film Congress (The Hague, 1928), has been intrusted, among other essen- tial tasks, with the organization of international meet- ings for the Catholic Film Action Technicians. In pursuance of this mandate, the Munich (1929) and the Brussels (1933) congresses took place. The Encyclica Vigilanti Cura (1936) has made the cinema one of the chief preoccupations of the Church. Influenced by the pontifical document, those countries that so far had little thought of the problems brought up by the film or which were even afraid to broach them, courageously started work; the others, supported, strengthened and guided by such a high approbation, continued with increased energy. Very soon a new in- ternational meeting clearly became necessary. In 1937, already, the Managing Committee of the O.C.I.C. decided to have the IVth International Con- gress in Vienna in September, 1938. Its object was the elaborate study of the Encyclica Vigilanti Cura. But the invasion of Austria and the World War opposed the execution of this project. It was natural therefore that at the first post-war General Council Meeting of the O.C.I.C. (Rome, Oc- tober 1946), the urgent utility of the foreseen congress was unanimously acknowledged by the delegates of the nineteen countries present. In fact, everywhere a serious effort of adaptation to very new situations proves to be necessary; every- where there is the same desire to shake off the mortal isolation forced by the war upon so many Catholic or- ganizations; everywhere there is the same fear of scat- tering energies, the same need of an international ex- change of opinions for the purpose of gathering infor- mation, of stimulating and guiding the activities of the various National Centers. Among the work-men of the Catholic Film Action, two tendencies are evident: a sincere determination to hand on to the 7 th Art the immense resources of Chris- tianity and a firm resolution not to allow the effort of the Catholics to be confined in a small chapel on the margin of the general film activity but to particijsatc more and more efficiently in this activity. This is also the spirit of the IVth Congress of the O.C.I.C, to be held in Brussels from June 16 to June 22, 1947. At the same time, Belgium organizes a World Festival of the Film and the Fine Arts, lasting the en- tire month of June, 1947. Thus the Congress of the O.C.I.C, though not a part of this Festival, yet in contact with it, will be able to affirm the constructive preoccupation of the Catho- lics concerning cinema matters, as well as their will of a sympathetic collaboration with the movie world. General Program (plenary sessions) Monday, June 16: Opening of the Congress, under the Hon. Presidency of H. E. Msgr. Cento, Papal Nuncio, and the effective chairmanship of Canon A. Brohee, President of the Office Catholique International du Cinema. Speech by Mr. P. Van Iceland, former Belgian Prime Minister. "The Cinema and its place in the world." Tuesday, June 17: Chairmanship: Mr. W. Stuivers, barrister, President of the Belgian C.C.A.C. Statement by Mr. ter Veer, Advocate General of the Netherlands. "The Cinematographic Legislation." Debate. Wednf-sdav, June 18: Chairmanship; Mr. Traslosheros, President of the "Legion Mexicana de la Decencia." ■Statement by Msgr. J. J. McClafferty, Executive Secre- tary of the "National Legion of Decency" of the U.S.A. "The Influence on the public and by the public." De- bate. Thursday, June 19: Chairmanship: a delegate of the United States of America. Statement by M. Dervaux, of the French Producers Trade Unions. "The Cinematographic Industries." Debate. FRmAY, June 20: Chairmanship: Mr. G. Damas, Profes- sor at the "Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinematog- raphiques de Paris." Statement by Professor Gedda, President of the "Ital- ian Centro Cattolico Cinematografico." "The Cinema, an educational and cultural instrument." Debate. Sunday, June 22: Closing session under the chairman- ship of His Em. the Carditial van Roey, Archbishop of Malines and Primate of Belgiimi. Conclusions and resolutions by the President of the O.C.I.C. "The Church and the cinema," by His Em. the Cardinal van Roey. 32 SEE AND HEAR