Cinema Collection

1000m² dedicated to cinema, with a guided tour of many legendary films from the 1960s to present day.

Film sets, costumes, models, masks and prostheses, lifelike animals, animatronics, robots and monsters of all kinds, and hundreds of authentic objects lent by a wide variety of studios, museums and filmmakers to illustrate a rich cultural and educational journey.

Numerous videos and documents from the archives will introduce visitors to the astounding illusions of the industry’s greatest special-effects experts.

Models and sets create the illusion of the

City of the Future or a miniature planet, spaceship or aeroplane in flight; explosions and scenes of destruction shock and surprise; and stunning scale models and life-size sets provide the backdrop for spectacular action scenes.

Animatronics and lifelike animals

Robotic versions of existing and imaginary animals can be built to avoid risks of injury or animal abuse. They are controlled remotely by stagehands to play their role alongside the actors.

Masks and Prostheses

To make actors look younger or older, simulate wounds, or create the illusion of fantastic or ultra-realistic transformations, actors have latex and make-up applied for hours on end.

Costumes

Whether to evoke historic periods or the far-flung future, costumes are a constant feature of the world of cinema, and often show an impressive degree of creativity.

Robots and monsters

The creators of fantasy and science-fiction films often use robots and imaginary creatures in their stories. Building these mechanical devices requires advanced knowledge and engineering skill.

Fake weapons

To faithfully re-enact the era when a film takes place, the actors need perfect replicas of the weapons they carried. Though made of resin, they’re indistinguishable from the real thing. They are incredibly imaginative in science fiction films.

For the past 20 years, the Musée Cinéma et Miniature has had the honour of working in cultural partnerships with many special effects experts, filmmakers and museum curators to create the permanent and temporary exhibitions that allow the public to see iconic objects from mythical films up close.

Inspired by these close encounters, new pieces are regularly added to the collection. The pieces are usually collected right after being used on sound stages or from workshops once design work is finished.

The exhibition reveals the talented work of great designers such as Rick Baker, Stan Winston, Amalgamated Dynamics Inc., Grant McCune and New Deal Studios, as well as French designer Patrick Tatopoulos. Its instructional materials and illustration were entrusted to specialist Alain Bielik, editor in chief of SFX magazine.