The Berlinale Classics, which was launched two years ago as part of the Retrospective section of the Berlin International Film Festival, will be showing a total of five films in this year’s programme. High-quality restored and reconstructed films in digitally remastered versions form the basis for this forum, which closely collaborates with national and international film partners who are especially committed to the digital restoration of film classics. In addition to three German films (see Press Release from December 19, 2014), two international productions will complete this year’s series.
One of the highlights of the Berlinale Classics programme will be Goldfinger (1964), probably the most famous of James Bond films, with Sean Connery and Gert Fröbe in the leads. The international premiere of the digitally restored version will screen in 4K DCP. Responsible for the restoration were Eon Productions Ltd. (London), and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (Beverly Hills/CA). Sir Ken Adam, two-time Academy Award winner and production designer of the film - and to whom the special exhibition “Bigger Than Life” is currently dedicated at the Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen in Berlin - will attend the screening and introduce Goldfinger personally.
The world premiere of the digitally restored version of Richard Brooks’ film In Cold Blood (1967) will also screen in 4K DCP in the Berlinale Classics series. Adapted from the eponymous novel by Truman Capote, this feature film reconstructs the true events of a murder case in the USA. The digital restoration was done, as commissioned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, based on the work’s original negative at Colorworks in Los Angeles.
On February 6, 2015, the Berlinale Classics series is opening with the premiere of the new digital version, made by the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, of E. A. Dupont’s silent film classic Varieté. A new musical score has been composed by the cult band The Tiger Lillies, who will perform live during the screening. Tickets are already on sale online at www.berlinerfestspiele.deor at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele.
As Rainer Rother, head of the Retrospective and artistic director of the Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen, remarks: “In practice, the possibilities of digital restoration play an ever bigger and more dominant role for archives and copyright holders. This year’s Berlinale Classicsprogramme is proof that efforts to present film heritage under the altered conditions of what is today a largely digital presentation creates an opportunity for new and extraordinary encounters with film classics. Each of the works selected has brought its own challenges. At the screenings, the films will be introduced to the audience by their respective restorers.”
Neun Leben hat die Katze (The Cat Has Nine Lives)
Directed and presented by Ula Stöckl, FRG 1968
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, 7 PM, CinemaxX 8
World premiere of the digitally restored version in 2K DCP
Goldfinger
Directed by Guy Hamilton, Great Britain 1964
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, 7:30 PM, Haus der Berliner Festspiele
Presented by Sir Ken Adam
International premiere of the digitally restored version in 4K DCP
Jahrgang 45 (Born in ’45)
Directed and presented by Jürgen Böttcher, GDR 1966
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, 11 AM, CinemaxX 8
World premiere of the digitally restored version in 4K DCP
In Cold Blood
Directed by Richard Brooks, USA 1967
Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, 7 PM, Haus der Berliner Festspiele
Presented by Grover Crisp (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
World premiere of the digitally restored version in 4K DCP
Varieté
Directed by Ewald André Dupont, Germany 1925
Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, 7 PM, Haus der Berliner Festspiele
(Ticket pre-sales at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele and online: www.berlinerfestspiele.de)
World premiere of the digitally restored version in 2K DCP
Music and performance: The Tiger Lillies
