Bensard to head Cinematheque

Mannoni, de Fleury to head up museum

By LIZA KLAUSSMANN

PARIS -- Patrick Bensard will replace American director, Peter Scarlet at Gallic film org the Cinematheque Francaise. Scarlet, who was San Francisco film fest topper for 18 years, was officially ousted Tuesday after just 18 months in the job (Daily Variety, July 8).

Bensard, who has headed the Cinematheque de la Danse, an affiliate of Cinematheque Francaise, since 1982, will be interim director.

Scarlet's future has been the subject of much speculation after the Cinematheque recently announced a black hole of $400,000 in its annual results for 2001.

No bailout

David Kessler, head of the Centre National de la Cinematographie, which pays 80% of the Cinematheque's annual tab, was adamant about not bailing the org out of its financial situation.

Also announced was the co-appointment of Laurent Mannoni and Marianne de Fleury to head up the Cinematheque's museum.