Nicole Bressand : « I used film clips to help my students learn and express themselves. »
 

PostED ON OCTOBER 13 AT 6:23PM

Her contagious good humor is well-known to regulars of the Lumière festival. A volunteer for three years, Nicole Bressand distributes flyers, programs and smiles to promote the event.
 

Copyright Institut Lumière / Laura Lépine

Personal skills and the art of pedagogy are innate for this Lyonnaise, a former English teacher, "the best of professions," according to the film enthusiast. "I've always made it a point to use images as a key element in education; I showed film clips so my students could learn and express themselves," says the professor of Shakespeare's language; 42 years in middle schools and high schools in Lyon, Clermont and Paris. After moving back to her hometown four years ago, Nicole discovered the Lumière festival thanks to her husband Gérard, a volunteer at the event. It was love at first sight for Nicole, who goes to the movies "at least three times a week." Since then, she has been in charge of welcoming audiences to theaters, selling festival merch and helping distribute programs and flyers. This fan of Ken Loach and Frances McDormand completes her roles with enthusiasm: "Each moment is a pleasure!” Her favorite so far? "This year’s opening ceremony! It was the first time for me, and I loved Nicolas Bedos' film, La Belle époque; it was very Shakespearean, with an excellent script and outstanding actors!” Wise words from a cinephile-professor!
 

Laura Lépine