“In the last few months, or rather the last few years, the term ‘machin’ in different film archives has become the name of an eminent pioneer of cinema. It is no longer a common French term (a ‘machin’: a tool, a gadget, an object). Alfred Machin’s contribution to French film production in the early years is remarkable, but it is not only limited to this: Machin was at the origins of the development of the Dutch and Belgian film industries. Nevertheless, this has not prevented his name from going into oblivion. It is for this very reason that certain countries, and their respective film archives, have united their forces to ensure that this personality re-emerges from his obscure past.
The archives started to search under the name ‘Machin’. Rusty cans were opened in the hope of re-finding some of his films. Researchers dedicated themselves to the most minute analysis of old cuttings from newspapers, magazines and catalogues, concerning themselves to jealously guard the only available biography (at the moment Francis Lacassin is working on a re-edition of his book). The archives have worked assiduously on the restoration of those films by Machin that are still available. They have based their work on correspondence, long telephone conversations, appointments, decisions and discussions. A collaboration network has been created between dozens of researchers united by a common objective. Thus, the dust of the old containers and the yellowed  newspapers have been transformed into a life story.
It is a mosaic which is still incomplete. However, for the moment, the treasures which we have arranged furnish an interesting profile of the life of this singular character and of the rich legacy which he has left us -the spark from which most of European cinema has been born”. (Marianne Thys).