A peace-loving man with a decidedly global perspective, Albert Kahn spent most of his life and wealth trying to expand Western understanding of other cultures—largely through film and photography. This program delves into Kahn’s origins and formative years and the launch of his Archive of the Planet project. Topics include Kahn’s Jewish ancestry and Alsacian upbringing; his early success in finance; his admiration of Japanese art and customs; the development of autochrome photography by the Lumière brothers; Marguerite Mespoulet’s colorful documentation of Ireland’s vanishing Celtic traditions; and Kahn’s expedition to Cornwall and London with August Leon. A BBC/Musée Albert-Kahn (Département des Hauts-de-Seine—France) Co-production. (50 minutes)
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