In 2018, by analogy with similar initiatives in other art forms, Sabzian created a new yearly tradition: Sabzian invites a guest to write a State of Cinema and to choose a film that connects to it. This way, once a year, the art of film is held against the light: a speech that challenges cinema, calls it to account, points the way or refuses to define it, puts it to the test and on the line, summons or embraces it, praises or curses it. A plea, a declaration, a manifest, a programme, a testimony, a letter, an apologia or maybe even an indictment. In any case, a call to think about what cinema means, could mean or should mean today.

After the first two editions (Sarah Vanagt in 2018 and Claudio Pazienza in 2019), Sabzian is honoured to welcome the French filmmaker and author Olivier Assayas for the State of Cinema 2020. Olivier Assayas has chosen Zerkalo [The Mirror] (1975) by Andrei Tarkovsky to accompany his State of Cinema.

This event is organized by Sabzian, Palace, LUCA School of Arts and Lumière. You can buy tickets here.