Large Format in Brazil, part II: The Incol 70/35 projector | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Written by: Paulo Roberto P. Elias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Date: 08.11.2009 |
 Incol 70/35 design of the 1960’s model (courtesy Strong – Produtos de Cinema).In a previous dissertation about the presence of the 70 mm format in my native town, Rio de Janeiro, I failed to talk a bit more about the projectors used in these theaters. And while a few of them were fitted with the Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 or with the Prevost 70/35, the most prevalent projector installed in those places was manufactured not by Italians or by a Dutch company, but by a Brazilian manufacturer: the Indústria Cinematográfica Orion Ltda. This projector is the Incol model 70/35, previously shown in this site. There were at least eight theaters accounted for, using the Incol 70/35, including the Vitória theater, which was the first one to open 70mm performances. The history of the Incol 70/35 is also the history of a family business. According to the data published in the site of one of his latest descendents, it was forefather Alysson de Faria who started the business as the commercial representative of a foreign manufacturer. • Go to Large Format in Brazil, part I: 70mm in Rio • Go to Palácios e Poeiras • Go to 70mm Rundown in Rio Revised • Go to 70mm Films shown in Brazil • Go to Mr. Orion Jardim de Faria - A visit to a Brazilian 70mm film Pioneer • Go to The Incol 70-35 projector • Go to The Passing of Orion Jardim de Faria • Go to Falecimento de Orion Jardim de Faria | More in 70mm reading: Palácios e Poeiras Large Format in Brazil, part I: 70mm in Rio 70mm Rundown in Rio Revised 70mm Films shown in Brazil Mr. Orion Jardim de Faria - A visit to a Brazilian 70mm film Pioneer The Incol 70-35 projector The Passing of Orion Jardim de Faria Falecimento de Orion Jardim de Faria |
 Mr. Orion de Faria and the Incol 70/35 projector in a TV talk show broadcasted on October 10th 2007. Picture courtesy Strong – Produtos de CinemaIn later years, his son Orion Jardim de Faria would start his own enterprise, in order to design and build film projectors for 16, 35, and 70 mm gauges. Orion’s factory started in 1956, but in 1976 he acquired 50% of another Brazilian projector manufacturer Empresa Cinematográfica TRIUMPHO Ltda, until, in end of the 1990’s, both factories were completely shut down. | 09.11.2009 Amigos, Graças ao Dr. Paulo Roberto, esta se fazendo mais uma vez o reconhecimento a um dos desbravadores na cinematografia nacional. Agradeço ao amigo Paulo por esta homenagem a meu pai. Abraços, Olegário My friends, Thanks to Dr. Paulo Roberto, the acknowledging of one of the pioneers in the national cinematography is being done once more. I thank to my friend Paulo for the homage done to my father. Regards, Olegário, Brazil |
 Four machines in a row are (2) 35mm/70mm (2) 35/16mm projectors (those with four lens turret). That appears to be the Congressa (seat of Brazil government) projection room. From right to left, two Incol 70/35 units still in use (courtesy Projecine).Mr. Orion is, as of this date, 84 years old, but still remembers all the theaters in Rio equipped with his projectors. The widespread presence of the Incol presence in Rio was ultimately the result of a subsidized funding provided by the late INC (Instituto Nacional do Cinema), merging the interests of the Faria industry with Rio’s most prominent exhibitor at the time, Luiz Severiano Ribeiro. It was the Severiano group who started the 70 mm exhibition at the Vitória, and in subsequent years equipped his best installations with the same projector. | 11.11.2009 Very nice article done by Paulo regarding the Inchol 35-70mm projector and the Defaria family in Brazil. The picture of the four machines in a row are (2) 35mm/70mm (2) 35/16mm projectors (those with four lens turret). That appears to be the Congressa (seat of Brazil government) projection room. They also ma...de a robust / simply designed 35mm only projector which was the staple of many small towns in Brazil Regards, Russell Richard Fowler, USA |
 Xenon lamp house, fitted in a more recent Incol 70/35 (courtesy Projecine).The manufacturing of the Incol 70/35 coincides with the shutdown of the Philips projector plant at Inbelsa (Industria Brasileira de Eletricidade S/A), one of its subsidiaries. Mr. de Faria bought the engineering and manufacturing rights to some of earlier Philips models. These are incorporated in the design of the Incol 70/35 of the 1960’s. | |
 Optical sound head of the Incol 70/35 (courtesy Projecine)Probably as a result of the Incol-Philips association, the Incol 70/35 was not just a plain projector. It had state-of-the-art mechanics and it would last to the same extent that spare parts can be provided. In more recent installations, these Incol 70/35 projectors are still in operation: | |
 Projector head view with the lid open (courtesy Projecine).In the “modern” incarnation of the Incol 70/35 the carbon rod lamp house is replaced by the xenon lamp version: The main body of the Incol projector is essentially the same: The Incol 70/35 model had its glorious days from the mid-1960’s to the early 1970’s. From plain, flat 70 mm to Cinerama 70, these units provided some of the best exhibitions in the business. From the early 1980’s onwards 70 mm film distribution started an indefectible decline, and eventually 70 mm theatrical presentation came to a halt. At this point, the Severiano group started selling their Incol units, and turned back to Simplex 35 mm projectors. According to a company’s spokesperson, since then there isn’t a single manual or spare part for this projector left. Their last operational pair of Incol projectors was removed about 19 years ago. | |
 Projector head with closed lid view (courtesy Projecine).Nevertheless, for cinema patrons, the Incol presentations will be forever in their hearts and minds, even though no publicity was ever made about its existence during those days. The following theaters are known as equipped with Incol 70/35 units in Rio: Vitória, Roxy, Leblon, Tijuca, Palácio, Pathé, Veneza, Madrid (removed after a fire in the auditorium and screen), and Rian. In their last existing years at the Roxy, the Incol 70/35 was used as the main operational source for training apprentices in the projectionist’s business, who would therefore learn how 70 mm and 35 mm were threaded and projected. | |
Acknowledgments | |
 Cinema Technician and the Incol 70/35 projector in a TV talk show broadcasted on October 10th 2007. Picture courtesy Strong – Produtos de CinemaThis survey and manuscript was only possible with the help of the following people: Mr. Olegário Frossard de Faria, from Faria Importação e Exportação Serviços de Áudio e Vídeo Ltda. Mr. Charles Torres, from Projecine Instalações Cinematográficas. Mr. Luiz Gonzaga de Luca, professor at FGV. Mr. Milton Leal, from the Planetário. To all of them, my most deep and sincere gratitude. Thanks! * | |
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