Some may claim cinema is a dying art form, but a visit to Bologna’s Ritrovato Festival quickly dispels that notion. This celebration of carefully curated restored classics, held in the stunning setting of Piazza Maggiore, is a vibrant testament to the enduring power of cinema.
As I sat amidst the grandeur of Piazza Maggiore, watching Gene Hackman on the massive screen, his character traversing Union Square in San Francisco, a space strikingly similar to the square I was in, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the magic of the moment. The film, Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Conversation,’ a masterpiece sandwiched between the first two ‘Godfather’ films, was being screened in a breathtaking 4K restoration. Coppola’s film, inspired by Michelangelo Antonioni’s ‘Blow-Up,’ further solidified the Italian connection.
Cinema Ritrovato, now in its 38th year, is a cinephile’s paradise, a festival dedicated to restoring lost films and uncovering hidden gems. The meticulously curated program offers a journey through cinematic history, showcasing seasons of Marlene Dietrich’s work, including her silent films, the work of Anatole Litvak, the Kiev-born director who found success in Britain, France, Germany, and Hollywood, and the often-overlooked Italian director Pietro Germi, whose comedies, such as ‘Divorce Italian Style’ and ‘The Birds and the Bees,’ were pivotal to Italian cinema. Germi’s broader body of work, including his 1956 film ‘The Journey,’ is on full display at the festival, highlighting the depth of his talent often missed by international audiences.
The festival also boasts a star-studded lineup of guests, including Wim Wenders and Alexander Payne, who introduce their work and pay homage to their influences. Wenders, in a packed audience, spoke of his film education under Anthony Mann, a fellow outsider, and introduced Mann’s first Western, ‘The Great Man,’ a captivating action film that tackled racism, albeit through a controversial performance by Robert Taylor in redface.
After watching George Stevens’ hilarious and politically charged ‘The Talk of the Town,’ I spoke with Ehsan Khoshbakht, the festival’s co-director, about the contemporary relevance of the program. Khoshbakht pointed out the enduring power of great art, explaining that while not every selection was made with a specific response to current events in mind, these films contain profound sensibilities that resonate with audiences today. He further emphasized the evolving nature of meaning, suggesting that films can take on new significance when viewed through the lens of the present.
The audience at Cinema Ritrovato is a diverse mix of film enthusiasts, ranging from die-hard nitrate nuts who insist on celluloid screenings to newcomers eager to experience cinematic masterpieces like ‘Paris, Texas’ and ‘The French Connection’ on the big screen for the first time. A new generation of film lovers, like Emma, a festival volunteer, are carrying the torch. Emma, watching ‘Freaks’ for the first time, was astonished by its timelessness, finding it both subversive and surprisingly ahead of its time.
In an era of cinema closures and a shrinking number of screenings, Cinema Ritrovato offers a beacon of hope and a much-needed tonic to the gloomsters. Ehsan Khoshbakht echoes this sentiment, noting the remarkable sense of ownership felt by the younger audience. They arrive not needing to be told to appreciate cinema; they already do. They are ready and eager to embrace the art form, demonstrating a profound care for the experience.
The festival’s success is evident in its growth, with a newly restored cinema, the Modernismo, a work of art in itself, catering to increased demand. Bologna also hosts the Biografilm Festival, a showcase for biographical documentaries, and houses the Immagine Ritrovato, a renowned film restoration laboratory that has become an international center of excellence.
For Ehsan Khoshbakht, the festival represents more than just a celebration of cinema; it is a mission. He emphasizes the need for spaces like Cinema Ritrovato, spaces where audiences, especially younger generations, can trust the programming and the quality of the projection. By providing this environment, the festival fosters an immersive experience, ensuring that cinema, in all its glory, continues to thrive.
