LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

From a young age, I relished the escapism that cinema provided. I was always fascinated by the idea that someone could build a new world filled with characters, conflicts, and resolutions with just their thoughts. Whenever I go to the movie theater, I completely immerse myself in the director’s vision. I become a citizen of the city, a new member of the coven, and an omnipresent friend of the family. With the film’s soundscapes, you can hear the echoes of danger in the woods, feel the buzz of a hummingbird in the distance, and become lulled by the siren song of the creatures below the ocean’s surface. The one part of this multi-sensory experience I felt was missing was smell. I wanted to inhale the jazz club concoction of smoke and bourbon in the tales of the Harlem Renaissance, the waft of grandma’s homemade confections in the holiday drama, and the aroma of fresh roses, peonies, and designer perfume as the bride walks down the aisle in the storybook romance. CINÉMATHÈQUE is my way of providing that additional layer to the multi-sensory escapism of cinema. A nod to the infinite film vignettes that left a mark on my heart and expanded my imagination. I hope you love these scents as much as I do and continue the ritual of experiencing films from the velvet seats of your favorite theater.

Fredd Wilson