The Venice Film Festival's 2024 Venice Classics section is set to be a cinephile's dream, showcasing a dazzling array of 18 meticulously restored films. This year's line-up is a testament to the timeless allure of cinema, featuring iconic works from legendary directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni, Vittorio De Sica, and Lina Wertmuller.
One of the highlights is Michelangelo Antonioni's 1961 classic “The Night” (“La Notte”). This black-and-white drama, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau, and Monica Vitti, captures a day and night in the life of a disillusioned novelist and his alienated wife. Its inclusion in this year's festival marks the 100th anniversary of Mastroianni's birth, adding a poignant layer to its screening.
Vittorio De Sica's “The Gold Of Naples” (“L'Oro di Napoli”), a 1954 masterpiece, will also grace the festival. This film, composed of six episodes inspired by Giovanni Marotta's short stories, features an ensemble cast including Sophia Loren and Silvana Mangano. The screening commemorates 50 years since De Sica's passing, offering audiences a chance to revisit his cinematic legacy.
Lina Wertmuller's “Swept Away By An Unusual Destiny In The Blue Sea Of August” (“Travolti da un insolito destino nell'azzurro mare d'agosto”) brings a unique touch to the line-up. Wertmuller, the only female director among the 18 featured filmmakers, presents a provocative narrative that remains relevant and engaging.
The English-language films are equally compelling. Peter Brook's 1989 feature “The Mahabharata” and Howard Hawks' 1940 comedy “His Girl Friday,” starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, showcase the diversity and breadth of the festival's selection.
Among the more recent films is Nicolas Winding Refn's “Pusher,” a 1996 debut feature that has been restored, offering a gritty look into the Copenhagen underworld.
Since its inception in 2012, the Venice Classics section has become a beloved part of the festival, celebrating the art of restoration and the enduring power of cinema. This year, the tradition continues with a student jury awarding prizes for the best-restored film and the best documentary about cinema.
Venice Classics 2024
- The Night (It-Fr) dir. Michelangelo Antonioni
- The Mahabharata (Fr-UK-US) dir. Peter Brook
- Forbidden Games (Fr) dir. Rene Clement
- The Gold Of Naples (It) dir. Vittorio De Sica
- His Girl Friday (US) dir. Howard Hawks
- The Ritual (India) dir. Girish Kasaravalli
- The Big Heat (US) dir. Fritz Lang
- Blood And Sand (US) dir. Rouben Mamoulian
- Bend Of The River (US) dir. Anthony Mann
- All Mixed Up (Jap) dir. Yasuzo Masumura
- Ecce Bombo (It) dir. Nanni Moretti
- The Man Who Left His Will On Film (Jap) dir. Nagisa Oshima
- The Time And The Change Of Augusto Matraga (Brazil) dir. Roberto Santos
- Goldflakes (Ger-Fr) dir. Werner Schroeter
- Soft Skin (Fr) dir. Francois Truffaut
- Swept Away By An Unusual Destiny In The Blue Sea Of August (It) dir. Lina Wertmuller
- Pusher (Den) dir. Nicolas Winding Refn
- Model (US) dir. Frederick Wiseman
Whether you're a seasoned film buff or a casual viewer, the 2024 Venice Classics line-up is an unmissable journey through the annals of cinematic history. Join us in celebrating these restored treasures and the timeless stories they tell.
