8mm Forum: Les Cinglés du cinéma

This is topic Les Cinglés du cinéma in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 20, 2013, 08:20 AM:

It is a film fair that is held in Argenteuil (very close to Paris, about 15 minutes in train) each year. It will start on Friday 27 th September (but on that day the entrance is 15 euros) and continue (entrance free) Saturday and Sunday. It used to be the biggest film fair in Europe. It is still interesting event if there are less sellers (like everywhere I guess). 10.000 visitors are expected. If by chance you are in Paris (or nearby)at these dates..."cinglé" means crazy.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 20, 2013, 09:01 AM:

Sounds great. Are you going?

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 20, 2013, 12:12 PM:

Yes, I go there every year.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 21, 2013, 12:26 PM:

I've been a dealer there for the last 15 years. There was an ongoing topic (click here) on the forum but I haven't done any update this year.

Dominique, tu sais où je me trouve sur le plan, viens me dire bonjour.
Jean-Christophe, tu viens ?

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 21, 2013, 12:33 PM:

Nice pictures ! I can't wait to be there. Je passerai te dire bonjour (I will look for you to say hello).

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 26, 2013, 05:56 AM:

It is near. I will take the train to Paris this afternoon...

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 26, 2013, 10:16 AM:

Just finished setting up the table. I'm now occupying the entire back section of the smaller dealer room. You can't miss me!

Posted by Guy Taylor, Jr. (Member # 786) on September 26, 2013, 04:08 PM:

Sounds like a great event. One of these days hope to make it.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on September 26, 2013, 05:04 PM:

Have a great time guys! I'm sure you will. Please post some pics for everyone [Smile]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 30, 2013, 02:44 AM:

I will try to post some pictures I took during the two days (sadly I didn't get the free pass for Friday that was sent by post from Tony from Buckingham Film Services who also travelled to Argenteuil, it will maybe be in my mail today...). There were less sellers and public that last year but was still great. There were new organisaters this year and, from what I understood, the informations about the event came late so that some sellers already planed other conventions. It may be better next year. Although the number of sellers and material has shrinked these last years, I found myself with two bags full of (heavy) reels and I could (if I had more money and a car to carry it) have bought a lot of more things. There were several sellers projecting films (among which a tv show from French television with a famous presentator, Guy Lux), which made keeping the magic of the ambience. I was lucky to meet Jean-Marc from this forum ! He will probably give his own feedback (as a seller). For me, for sure I go there next year.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 30, 2013, 11:13 AM:

From a seller's point of view, this year was OK. Not as good as last year but better than 2 years ago. A group of exhibitors, including yours truly, had a chat with the new guy in charge and we are trying to bring back the convention to its original date, which is the last weekend of January. So, the next "Cinglés" could happen either in September 2014 or January 2015.

The atmosphere was very friendly. Glad I had the visit of the Belgian contingent (ie Jean-Christophe and Dominique, who agreed to pose for a snapshot with me - see last picture).

Here are a few pics :

Posted by Fabrizio Mosca (Member # 142) on September 30, 2013, 11:24 AM:

OMG!
I think I'll pay a visit next time! [Big Grin]

I've seen things that don't come out so often (Bauer studio, 70mm spools, Kodak Sound 8...). Were all those beauties for sale?

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 30, 2013, 01:14 PM:

Your pictures are great (I am not photogenic but that's another story), so I don't need to bother Doug with mine. Fabrizio, of course all what you see was to sell.

Posted by Fabrizio Mosca (Member # 142) on September 30, 2013, 01:45 PM:

I'm curious about the projector with the additional arms on top in the third picture.
What are they for?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 30, 2013, 03:26 PM:

Good question, Fabrizio. At first, I thought this was a sync mag tape system but it's just a long play unit for larger reels (used when the original arms are folded back into their idle position).

Posted by Fabrizio Mosca (Member # 142) on September 30, 2013, 04:22 PM:

Amazing, it is an original one I suppose. What brand is the projector?

Posted by Jean-Christophe Deblock (Member # 792) on October 08, 2013, 01:44 PM:

Salut Jean-Marc,

I read that the organisator would probably change the date of the convention in january.
Is this really a good idea?
For my opinion, every changment for a convention ( date and place ) reduce the impact on the sellers and buyers. I've seen a difference by changing the date of the paris convention from January to september. now that everyone reserve the last week-end of septembre for the paris convention, why put it in januray again?
Overmore, january is a very bad month. If the Paris convention was in january 2013, I didn't go there because it was a snowy weather! In spetember, the weather is even better than january.

So, I think that changing the date of the Paris convention is like killing the convention!

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on October 08, 2013, 02:54 PM:

I think it was a mistake to change from January to September (but I know it was because of the building was used for the vaccination against the flue H1N1). The bad weather hasn't prevent people to go to Argenteuil for years so I don't know if it is a real problem. September is not a good time ; for those who have children as it is the (expensive) back to school time and for those who have no children it is often an holiday time (still hot and less crowded. I agree with you that changes of habits are not a good idea neither and that it should had been decided before the last convention and announced then. But what to do ? There were less sellers this year (even if from what I heard, one of the reason is that there were new organisators and they promoted the event late, it has benn dropping for a while). If nothing is tried, the convention could not attract enough people anymore to be viable (it was not the cas this time but who knows for next year ?). I prefered personnally January. I will go anyway, whatever it will be in this month or in Sepember but I think it worths considering doing it again in January. By the way, I am sorry I didn't meet you there (maybe I crossed you without noticing it).

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on April 27, 2014, 01:30 AM:

I readed that the convention will be held on 27th and 28th September this year (with the traditionnal sellers day, one day before, so on 26th September, this special day is also open to anyone but then you have to pay 15 euros while the two other days are free). Can anyone confirm, as it has been talked about moving the event from September to January, its genuine date ?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on April 27, 2014, 11:55 PM:

I haven't heard from the organizers yet. Last year, I got the table booking form in June so I'll let you know.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on April 28, 2014, 12:48 AM:

Thank you, Jean-Marc. I got my information from this site http://www.forum.westernmovies.fr/viewtopic.php?t=15581 but I was wondering if they received the official date from the organisators or if they calculated it as being the last week-end of September as it has been for the last years. Anyway, I am waiting for the event.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on May 20, 2014, 06:14 AM:

I got a confirmation of the dates ! I will buy my train tickets as soon as possible (end of June, as they sell them three monts before you travel).

Posted by Harley Jones (Member # 354) on June 05, 2014, 07:52 AM:

Would like to attend this event, but have no idea where it is. Somewhere north of Paris? Any advice on where to travel and hotel nearby would be useful.
Many thanks

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on June 05, 2014, 10:41 AM:

There is a train from Paris (gare, gare means station, Paris Saint-Lazare) to Argenteuil (gare d'Argenteuil) which takes about 10 minutes. I personnaly always combine my visit to Argenteuil with a stay at Paris (I did the same when I went to the BFCC in London). The last years, there were less dealers so less to see and less time to spend (it was easy to stay two whole days about ten years ago with all the materil dispayed to admire) as there are less projections (not like at the BFCC). One year is not the same as the preceeding one so you never know what you will found. Last year, event if it has shrinked, there was still a lot to buy, so try to save on accomodation ;-) If you go there, you will more than probably see the stand from the shop "La bande des cinés". This shop is located in Paris (http://www.bd-cine.com/index.php) and is a kind of Ali Baba's cave. Try to visit it (open from Tuesday to Saturday from 1.30 pm to 7pm). They have lots of films and material in their shop (more than what you see on their website). Remember that the soonest you book the train from England to Paris, the cheaper it will be (they start to sell the tickets, if I am not mistaking, three months before the travelling date).

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on June 06, 2014, 03:54 AM:

If you perform a search on the forum, you'll find all details (maps and explanations) from previous years.
here, for instance.
The location hasn't changed.

Posted by Harley Jones (Member # 354) on June 12, 2014, 02:18 PM:

Thank you so much to you both for this helpful information!
I love 9.5mm printed films and have about 10 projectors, Aces, Gem, H, Cinegels and one Elf sound conversion.
I must make a decision soon if I will go - the photos make it look an amazing event. Also need to take many euros, though I hope some dealers may take plastic. I believe that cine kit is more expensive in Europe than in UK.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on June 12, 2014, 05:23 PM:

I think that the large majority of the dealers will accept only cash or (if they are French) cheques from French banks. Sadly the material and the films are generally not cheap but you may find some interesting prices. Try to save on the hotel ; you will probably want to sleep in Paris as the large offer of accomodations will allow you to choose something at reasonable cost, as Paris has much to offer for a week-end and as Argenteuil is very close to France's capital.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on June 16, 2014, 02:28 PM:

This was taken in 2012. It is in French but the pictures speak for themselves : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_igQMK1OTvo

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on June 16, 2014, 03:00 PM:

My table at 00:34...

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on June 16, 2014, 03:31 PM:

I recognized it !

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on June 28, 2014, 01:13 AM:

I've just bought my train tickets for September. Although it is three months from now,some cheapest trains fares are already sold out for some timetables ! Costed me 44 € return ticket from Brusels to Paris, with the high speed train (actually the only one runningon that line).

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on June 28, 2014, 02:54 AM:

Finally got the table booking forms. I'll be there too [Wink]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 21, 2014, 01:05 PM:

A few days from the event :-)

Posted by Clay Smith (Member # 4122) on September 21, 2014, 01:39 PM:

Have fun guys, the event from previous posts looks great.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 21, 2014, 01:50 PM:

Dominique, are you coming on Friday? (I still have a free pass for the day).

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 21, 2014, 02:03 PM:

Jean_Marc, if you still have your free pass, I would love to use it on Friday. I tried to send you an e-mail but is seems that it is not possible.

[ September 21, 2014, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: Dominique De Bast ]

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 21, 2014, 04:39 PM:

PM sent

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 21, 2014, 04:51 PM:

I got it and naswered. Thanks !

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 28, 2014, 04:31 PM:

I'm just back from Paris. Thanks to Jean-Marc, I could enter the convention on Friday (the seller's day, also open to the public but then it's 15 euros ; the two other days, the entrnace is free). As last year, the event had shrinked, I was a little bit affraid to see a "diying" convention. My first feeling was bad as, indeed, the first (out of three) room was more empty than in 2013. However, my bad first impression quickly disappeared as there were more films and material than last year. The main room was well "packed" and I found more things than I could buy ! There were for example two sourves of 9,5 sound films and both had piles of films ! I went also to the convention on the Saturday and I found that there was a good number of customers (but of course the "business side" has to be commented by a seller. I came back home with three bags full of films. Needless to say, I will be there next year. Again, thank you, Jean-Marc.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 28, 2014, 04:33 PM:

A few pictures from this year's event. I think our friend Dominique took some more (Dominique, if you need them to be resized to be forum-compliant, forward them to me).

Some vintage stuff...

Books, posters and filming gear...

A nice Eiki xenon...

A rare occurence of the basic Beaulieu 708 (no recording equipment, single track play-back, no variable speed)

With all its operating instructions printed on the console...

Some nice portable 35mm machines, including the excellent BB35 from Buisse & Botazzi (who also created the prototype for the Beaulieu 708).

And finally my table

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 28, 2014, 05:19 PM:

I took, indeed, some pictures but cannot post them on the forum. I sent you a PM about that ;-)

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 29, 2014, 01:55 PM:

Dominique's pictures (part 1):

Posted by Clay Smith (Member # 4122) on September 29, 2014, 02:47 PM:

To someone like me who has never been to one of these shows and after seeing these photos, all I gotta say is, Oh My Goodness. I would be like a kid in a candy store. Were all these projectors for sale?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on September 29, 2014, 02:55 PM:

Yes, Clay, everything was for sale.

Here's part 2 of Dominique's pictures:

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 30, 2014, 08:54 AM:

Thanks for having put my pictures.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on May 28, 2015, 11:43 AM:

I've just discovered that Les Cinglés will move from September to January (as it originally was). So, there will logically be no edition in 2015. Only two days (instead of three) are announced : 29 (Friday) and 30 January 2016.

Posted by Jean-Christophe Deblock (Member # 792) on May 28, 2015, 12:24 PM:

Is this exact?

Very bad news! Always bad to change the date of a filmfair!

Overmore, if the weather is bad ( like snow, for exemple), I'll not come! Like a lot of other people ( and I never had snow in september! )

Overmore, it's the same date that the filmfair of Tourcoing!

Very bad news indeed! It's my opinion!

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on May 28, 2015, 12:34 PM:

I found the info there : http://fousdecinema.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/21/3830436.html

I personnally prefered January. We'll see how things will be organized ; I think the date is not the only thing to change : animation and food are also important. What I believe is not a good idea is to maintain a seller's day (with a 15 euro fee entrance, what's more on a Friday) as it gives you the feeling that every interesting items have already benn sold before the general public arrives.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on May 28, 2015, 04:09 PM:

I'm quite happy that the fair is back to its original date.
Among things being discussed between us (the exhibitors) and the organizers is the downsizing of the merchant day to only Friday afternoon and open to the public on Friday night.

Posted by Jean-Christophe Deblock (Member # 792) on May 29, 2015, 12:53 PM:

So, there will be friday afternoon, friday night ( the filmfair would be open until...? ) and saturday. Is that correct?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on June 01, 2015, 02:37 AM:

JC, although the dates have been confirmed, the details of how the days are being organized are still sketchy. The merchant afternoon and public opening at night (I think we said 5 to 8 or 6 to 9pm) was a suggestion on our end. I can't confirm that this will be validated or not at this time.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 29, 2015, 05:02 PM:

It seems that Les Cinglés du cinéma are cancelled. The event was first announced as confirmed for January 2016 but then there had been rumours that it would not happen and these rumours had not been denied by the organizators. As it was supposed to be in January and nothing appears to be clear at the end of August, it must probably be considered as cancelled. If it is cancelled forever, it is a disaster for me as I have attended this event for 20 years. A very big loss :-(

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on August 29, 2015, 06:10 PM:

Sorry to hear that Dominique, It's sad when an event that you look forward to comes to an end, but the good memories will always be there...

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 30, 2015, 02:26 AM:

Indeed, Joe but I will miss that strongly.

Posted by Jean-Christophe Deblock (Member # 792) on August 30, 2015, 03:16 AM:

Jean-Marc, can you confirm? Or not?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on August 30, 2015, 05:06 AM:

I'm just back at my desk and I haven't received anything regarding official cancelation or confirmation of the event from the organizers.
The last event in september 2013 was confirmed late june, early july so let's give them a few more weeks.
I'll let you know if I learn anything in the meantime.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 30, 2015, 06:35 AM:

Thank you for giving me some hope :-) I'm although surprised that an intenational event is so badly organized. Many events are confirmed about a year in advance to let the people organize their time. This is especially for the sellers. Should Les Cinglés be confirmed only one week before, I would go :-)

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on August 30, 2015, 07:16 AM:

Dominique, as you certainly know, José, the founder and driving force behind "Les Cinglés" retired a couple of years ago. He had a good leverage over the city as far as organization was concerned. So things were running smoothly. Now that the city is running the event, said event feels like a thorn in their side.
I'm aware of a person who, on his website, has started that rumor of cancellation. And rumors can run really wild on the internet.
As long as I haven't received any information from the organizers (as an exhibitor for nearly 20 years, I'm on their web panel so I hope I'm still in the loop) I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 30, 2015, 10:21 AM:

Jean-Marc, I do hope it's only a Rumor !

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 02, 2015, 04:47 PM:

Thanks to Jean-Marc's message, I checked again and it seems that, finally, the municipality confirmed the dates for the next Cinglés ! http://www.argenteuil.fr/53-cinema.htm

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on September 02, 2015, 05:51 PM:

Oops,there goes those phone posts again! [Confused]

[ September 03, 2015, 05:05 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on September 02, 2015, 05:51 PM:

Great news Dominique that there is at least to be one more!

[ September 03, 2015, 05:04 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 03, 2015, 04:59 AM:

I hope it will happen, Andrew. 5 months to wait :-)

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on November 25, 2015, 09:33 AM:

Convention is confirmed, I just received my table booking documents.

January 29 & 30 2016.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 25, 2015, 04:24 PM:

Fantastic ! Thanks for the info. I've just booked the train ticket. See you there, Jean_Marc !

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on November 25, 2015, 05:25 PM:

Great Dominique. I might also have a table at CinéMachina in Roubaix (closer to you!) on January 24.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on November 26, 2015, 02:23 AM:

I will try to go there as well (it's risky as if I spend too much in Roubaix, I will be broke in Argenteuil :-). In theory, it is closer from Brussels but I will go to Paris by high speed train and to Lille by normal train so it will take me the same time. I have been many times to Lille but never to Roubaix (which is reachable by Lille's underground), so I will, weather permitting, combine the cine fair with a walk in the city.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on January 16, 2016, 04:58 AM:

Confirmed time for this year's edition of "Les Cinglés du cinéma":
- Friday, jan. 29, 2016, 10am - 8pm (ticket 15 euros)
- Saturday, jan. 30, 2016, 9am - 9pm (free admission)

All dealers, myself included, are now in the main large exhibit hall.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on January 16, 2016, 05:53 AM:

Great new ; I heard a rumour it could have been cancelled at the last minute as no sellers had received a confirmation. Your message is killing that rumour.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on January 16, 2016, 06:06 AM:

Yes, I received all papers and email confirmation two days ago. I'm just intrigued as I don't know where my table will be.
I spent 20 years in the small exhibit hall, which is now reserved for something else. Proof that the fair is seriously downsizing.
If this year's results aren't satisfying, who knows what will happen? I, for one, might consider not booking a table anymore.
Cinémachina in Roubaix will be a test for me. See you there, Dominique.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on January 16, 2016, 06:27 AM:

I'm expecting a smaller fair at Argenteuil this year as it has been confirmed late and there will be Roubaix one week before. I know there have been technical reasons for the oraganizators to confirm the fair lately but doing so the year it moves back from September to January is not appealing for the sellers who need very clear informations and long time in advance, especially as many come from abroad. I have never been to Roubaix before, it will be a first this year. See you there, then :-)

Posted by Jean-Christophe Deblock (Member # 792) on January 16, 2016, 07:16 AM:

Please read again my post of the october the 13th 2013...

once again: changing the date was not a good idea, to my opinion.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on February 02, 2016, 03:12 PM:

As announced, only one room this year but it was far to be the disatser that some feared. Still a good number of sellers and good amount of films and material.

What would be Argenteuil without this stand ?

Two members of this forum : Jean-Marc (who had a stand) is showing something (for sure cine related) to Jean-Christophe (and we were not the only Belgians there).

The famous French filmaker Jean-Pierre Mocky, invited at the event.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on February 03, 2016, 07:31 AM:

Thanks for the pics, Dominique.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on February 09, 2016, 09:12 AM:

I sent an e-mail a few days ago to the municipality of Argenteuil to know if they could spread the informations about a 2017 edition quicker that what had bee done last year. I've just got the answer : there will be a Cinglés next year, likelihood the last week-end of January. Elle est pas belle, la vie ? (Isn't life beautiful ?)

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on January 22, 2018, 05:06 PM:

Les cinglés du Cinéma 2018 will be held next Friday and Saturday [Smile]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on January 28, 2018, 06:42 PM:

Two nice days. As usual, the Friday has an entry fee (5 euros) while the entrance on Saturday is free. Still films and material but also many "papers" (books, posters...) and dvds. I would have prefered a film only event but I'm afraid we have to be happy with what we have nowadays.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on January 29, 2018, 02:01 AM:

This picture is a little bit out of focus, sorry.

Posted by Fabrizio Mosca (Member # 142) on January 29, 2018, 06:48 AM:

[Eek!]

Looks like a paradise [Big Grin]

Hi Dominique, what projector is in the first picture (the one with big reels)? It seems a 16mm

From the pictures it seems that there are lot of projectors and cameras, but how about films?

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on January 29, 2018, 07:16 AM:

Fabrizio, it seems that it's a CVS but I cannot say much about it.
There was a collector who came to sell all his super 8 collection but he took the decision recently and it was the first time he attended a convention so the prices he asked were too high (for example, 500 euros for Siegfried). At the end of the second day, I told him that he probably didn't really want to sell his films, hence the prices and he said that when he put them out of the shelves at his home that made him something so I suggested him to make a projection the same night ;-) La bande des Cinés, the famous shop in Paris was, as usual there and prices are often lower than usual. A seller had piles of 16 mm films. On different other tables there were also films (of each gauges, including 17.5 and 9.5 of course). Not as many films as 20 years ago but still enough to be happy with.

The Ciné Club 9,5 de France was located just at the entrance so it was the first sight for the visitors.

Most of our UK members will recongnize the two British gentlemen (who sell material at cine conventions like The Big Screenn revival, Harpenden...). Patrick is showing to Madame Latrasse a project of 9.5 films catalogue. No doubt, it will be talked about it later in the 9.5 world.

This projector was not for sale. It was used to make some 9.5 projections.

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