In the 1920s, immigrant inventor Jacques Bolsey aimed to disrupt the early film industry with a motion picture camera for the masses: the iconic Bolex. Over 90 years later, his granddaughter Alyssa Bolsey pieces together the fragments from a family archive to reveal the story. Interviewing family members and renowned filmmakers, Alyssa travels to Switzerland, and delves into Jacques’ diary, archival film reels and collected images in order to understand the man and his impact on generations of filmmakers. This is a very personal film, and a true immigrant's story. Many filmmakers still swear by Bolsey’s invention, and Beyond the Bolex is an ode to the man and his camera.
- Year2018
- Runtime95 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, French
- CountryUnited States, Switzerland
- DirectorAlyssa Bolsey
In the 1920s, immigrant inventor Jacques Bolsey aimed to disrupt the early film industry with a motion picture camera for the masses: the iconic Bolex. Over 90 years later, his granddaughter Alyssa Bolsey pieces together the fragments from a family archive to reveal the story. Interviewing family members and renowned filmmakers, Alyssa travels to Switzerland, and delves into Jacques’ diary, archival film reels and collected images in order to understand the man and his impact on generations of filmmakers. This is a very personal film, and a true immigrant's story. Many filmmakers still swear by Bolsey’s invention, and Beyond the Bolex is an ode to the man and his camera.
- Year2018
- Runtime95 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, French
- CountryUnited States, Switzerland
- DirectorAlyssa Bolsey