Cinema rediscovered in Bologna
Acknowledged as one of the top international events dedicated to the memory of early cinema, Il Cinema Ritrovato (“Cinema Rediscovered”) – held by the Bologna Cinematheque from June 27-July 4) – hosts film lovers from the world over. Despite this year’s budget cuts, impassioned audiences will still, however, find a programme worthy of the festival’s fame.
The event’s opening film was The Red Shoes by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, recently restored to it bright, original Technicolor version by UCLA (and seen at Cannes just a few weeks ago). It was presented by Powell’s widow, Thelma Shoonmaker, a three-time Oscar wining editor for three of Martin Scorsese’s films.
The film is also part of the focus on the evolution of colour in film history: from Méliès’ pioneering chromatic effects, to great masterpieces such as Luchino Visconti’s Senso and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time…the Revolution. Closing night has also been set aside for the master of the spaghetti western, with the world premiere of the restored version of The Good, the Bad and Ugly).
French cinema of WWII is being featured in the retrospective “La parte di Vichy, il cinema francese sotto l’occupazione”, with propaganda films and works (such as Pontcarral Colonel d’Empire) that were able to bypass the invaders’ censors.
Tributes to filmmakers include to the master of the American comedy, Frank Capra, in a retrospective of all of his unknown silent films; Henri-George Clouzot, with the newly found L’enfer, an unfinished film made with Romy Schneider; and Italy’s Vittorio Cottafavi.
Cinema Ritrovato also offers academic events, perhaps the most noteworthy is a training seminar for exhibitors, “Come le sale cinematografiche possono affrontare il gap generazionale”, promoted by Europa Cinemas and the educational project Schermi e Lavagne della Cineteca.
(Translated from Italian)
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