As a film enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that attending the International Classic Film Market (MIFC) in Lyon, France, is like stepping into a time machine. The MIFC, running alongside the Lumière Film Festival, offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve deep into the rich history of cinema.
commencing at the 12th installment of the International Classic Film Market (MIFC), held in Lyon, France, special guest Cassandra Moore, Vice President of Mastering and Archive at NBC Universal, shared insights about their extensive film library and restoration methods.
The MIFC coincides with the Lumière Film Festival, a nine-day celebration centered around classic and contemporary cinema, showcasing more than 150 movies in its extensive screening lineup.
One of them is Steven Spielberg’s “The Sugarland Express,” a film that NBC Universal recently restored to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This movie, which received the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1974, was shown this year at Cannes Classics, the festival’s section dedicated to classic films.
Moore led the crowd in Lyon on a six-month journey of restoration. Once the original was retrieved from storage, the team carefully examined the negative and audio components and compiled a repair plan before diving into the task. To start, they scanned the film at 4K resolution. Following that, the actual restoration work began.
Our talented artists, a truly remarkable group, manually clean and smooth out dirt and scratches. These aspects are particularly engaging and enjoyable since they challenge an artist’s creativity to find a solution,” she elaborated. “In my mind, these tasks resemble visual effects work – could you get the previous frame? Could you grab the subsequent frame to mend that rip? It may seem severe, but it can always be fixed…
After the repairs were completed, came the phase of color and audio enhancement, overseen personally by Spielberg. The final product was highly praised. “Spielberg stated, ‘It’s never looked better before.’ This was the most gratifying compliment,” Moore mentioned. “In Cannes, there was immense enthusiasm for its unveiling, the sound quality was excellent, and it appeared stunning. It was a truly collaborative endeavor.
Each year, NBC Universal, home to over 7,000 movies in its catalog, carefully chooses 10 to 12 films for restoration. Additionally, they digitally preserve approximately 120 to 150 other films annually.
Although “The Sugarland Express” seemed a likely pick before its 50th anniversary, Moore clarified that the process of restoration involves considering multiple factors. This year at Lumière, NBCUniversal is showcasing the recently restored 1958 romantic drama “To Each His Own,” directed by Mitchell Leisen.
Instead of focusing on box-office hits, we seek out films that carry significance in the grand scheme of cinema. These might not have the same viewership as other movies, but they are crucial for the cinematic legacy, particularly that of Universal, and it’s important for audiences to engage with them.
Moore singled out Leisen as a filmmaker whose talent deserves wider acknowledgement: “Though he might not be as recognized by viewers as Spielberg, Leisen remains a significant director in the annals of cinema. Notably, his movie ‘To Each His Own’ stars Olivia de Havilland who took home the Academy Award for Best Actress.
In the year 2012, Universal Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary by initiating its Restoration Project. A while after that, it teamed up with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation, aiding in the preservation and restoration of over 1,000 films.
One notable joint venture among them was the restoration of the 1961 movie “One-Eyed Jacks,” which was Marlon Brando’s only directorial work. The film had deteriorated significantly over time, with few intact copies available in subpar quality. The restored version made its debut at Cannes Classics in 2016, representing a considerable milestone in the conservation of classic films.
As a cinephile, when I’m asked about our ongoing projects, I can’t help but share my enthusiasm for reimagining the magical world of Sydney Lumet’s 1978 musical masterpiece, “The Wiz.” This iconic film, with its brilliant cast that includes a youthful Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Nipsey Russell, is our current focus.
She mentioned that the movie holds significant historical value since it’s the place where Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson first worked together, and it was one of the initial films featuring an all-black cast as its main actors.
Moore stressed that it’s crucial to keep the movie true to the vision of its original creators. “We’re careful not to stray creatively unless we have someone from the original production team to guide us,” Moore explained, adding that in this case they brought on board [the film’s producer] Quincy Jones who was present daily during filming and knew director Lumet well.
Moore pointed out that reviving “The Wiz” is opportune, since it aligns with the upcoming release of “Wicked” this autumn. Both productions stem from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, and the aim is that those attracted to the 2024 film may also be captivated by the 1978 adaptation.
The MIFC continues alongside the Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon until Oct. 18.
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2024-10-16 13:48