Enhancing the legacy of classic cinema at the International Classic Film Market
The 12th edition of the International Classic Film Market (MIFC) in Lyon, France, began with a captivating keynote from Cassandra Moore, VP of Mastering and Archive at NBC Universal. Moore shed light on the company’s extensive catalog and the sophisticated restoration techniques they use to bring classic films back to life.
A cinematic journey with the lumiere film festival
Parallel to the MIFC, the Lumière Film Festival spans nine days, celebrating heritage cinema with a lineup of over 150 films. The selection includes cherished classics and a sprinkle of contemporary gems, offering a rich tapestry for cinema lovers.
Steven Spielberg’s “The Sugarland Express” was a highlight this year, meticulously restored by NBC Universal to coincide with its 50th anniversary. This film, which clinched the Best Screenplay award at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival, was showcased in its renewed glory at the Cannes Classics, a segment dedicated to preserving cinema masterpieces.
Inside the restoration process
Moore provided the audience in Lyon with a detailed walk-through of the restoration efforts for “The Sugarland Express,” a project that spanned six months. The journey began with unearthing the original film from the vault and conducting thorough inspections of the negative and audio elements. After preparing a detailed repair report, the real magic began.
The film was first scanned in 4K high resolution. “Our artists – we have an incredible team – clean the dirt and scratches by hand. Those are the most interesting and fun parts, because you really let an artist figure out how to solve that problem. I always think of those almost as a VFX type of thing – can you grab the frame before? Can you grab the frame after to repair that tear? It’s pretty bad but it’s always fixable,” Moore explained.
The final touches
Once the physical restoration was complete, the next phase involved color and sound restoration. Steven Spielberg himself supervised this part, ensuring the film stayed true to its original vision. Moore shared Spielberg’s enthusiastic approval, quoting him as saying, “It’s the best it’s ever looked.” This accolade was echoed by the audience’s reaction at Cannes, where the film’s impeccable restoration was met with widespread acclaim.
NBC Universal, boasting a collection of over 7,000 films, plans to restore 10 to 12 titles annually, with an additional 120 to 150 films set for digital preservation each year.
Reviving lesser-known classics
While “The Sugarland Express” was an obvious choice for restoration, NBCUniversal’s efforts go beyond mainstream hits. At this year’s Lumière Festival, they screened the newly restored 1958 romantic drama “To Each His Own,” directed by Mitchell Leisen. “We try to look at films that are not necessarily blockbusters,” Moore mentioned. ”It needs to be an important film – maybe it doesn’t have the views that other films have – but it’s significant to the legacy of cinema.”
Moore championed Leisen’s work, highlighting the importance of preserving lesser-known directors’ contributions to cinema. “He may not be as familiar to audiences as Spielberg, but he’s still a significant figure in cinema history. And, of course, ‘To Each His Own’ features Olivia de Havilland, who won the Academy Award for best actress.”
A commitment to cinematic heritage
Universal’s dedication to film restoration dates back to its centennial in 2012, when it launched its extensive Restoration Project. This initiative gained momentum with a partnership with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation, which has helped preserve and restore more than 1,000 films.
A notable achievement was the restoration of ”One-Eyed Jacks” (1961), the only film directed by Marlon Brando. The film, once in severe disrepair, was brought back to life and premiered at Cannes Classics in 2016, underscoring the importance of preserving cinematic heritage.
Current restoration projects
Moore also teased some current restoration works, including Sydney Lumet’s 1978 musical “The Wiz,” featuring a young Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Nipsey Russell. Highlighting its significance, Moore said, “It’s a very important film, historically, because it’s where Quincy [Jones] met Michael Jackson and it’s one of the first all-black casts to star in a film.”
Maintaining fidelity to the original filmmakers’ vision is paramount, and for “The Wiz,” Quincy Jones, who was part of the original production, was brought in to ensure authenticity. “We’re very cautious about creatively taking any license, unless we have someone from the original production to inform us,” Moore emphasized.
Timely restorations
The restoration of “The Wiz” is timely, as it coincides with the release of “Wicked” this fall. Both films are rooted in L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The hope is that audiences drawn to the 2024 movie might also be inspired to revisit the 1978 version, enriching their understanding and appreciation of cinematic history.
The MIFC continues alongside the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, offering an unmissable journey through the celebrating and preserving of iconic films. Share this story on social media and stay tuned for more updates on film restoration and classic cinema.