Caroline Martel (born 1973) is a French Canadian documentary filmmaker from Montreal, Canada.[1] She holds a role as a Research Collaborator for Cinema Expo67 researching the history of Expo67.[2] Her work has been displayed in museums, such as the Museum of Moving Image. Her installation “Industry/Cinema” was displayed here. Her debut film was Hold the Line (2001).[1] Her documentaries focus on underrepresented topics or people. Martel uses the phrase "Unseen Voice" to describe this choice of subject matter.[3]
Martel received a BA in Communications and an MA in Media Studies both received from Concordia University. She is currently completing a PhD in Communications Studies.[2]
Hold the Line (2001) was directed by Martel's film debut, produced by the National Film Board of Canada.[4]
The Phantom of the Operator (2004) is a documentary directed by Martel. It won the award for Best Experimental Film at the Brooklyn Underground Film Festival.[5] It shows the role of female telephone operators from years ago. It highlights the necessity and expectation for the operator to greet customers with a friendly and welcoming voice. The film's topic has not garnered widespread attention, the history of the telephone was more documented than those who operated the lines. Martel states this as a reason for her creation of the film, referring to these the operator as the "Unseen Voice". All of Martel's films focus on this idea.[3] The film also explores how these operators were phased out, specifically by computerization.[6] The film is narrated by Pascale Montpetit in a spectral tone, aiming to act as a voice for these operators.[7] Martel created this film using archival footage from old industrial films, no original video material was used.[8]
Wavemakers (2012) is about a unique musical instrument called the Ondes Martenot.[9] It won the award for Music & Film at the Athens International Film Festival.[10] The documentary directed by Martel explores the history of the instrument and it's creator Maurice Martenot. It also retells the story of musicians who use the Ondes Martenot.[9] The soundtrack was performed by Suzanne Binet-Audet on the Ondes Martenot.[11] This is another one of Martel's documentaries to feature archival footage.[9]
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