Il cinema Ritrovato Festival Unveils 2025 Program Highlights

Il Cinema Ritrovato festival is set to captivate cinephiles on June 23, 2025, with a diverse program featuring restored classics, insightful documentaries, and special presentations. The festival, known for its dedication to preserving and celebrating film history, promises a day filled with cinematic discoveries and engaging discussions.

Recovered and Restored Films Take Center Stage

The “Recovered and Restored” section offers an “epic journey” through various cultures and cinematic languages. Highlights include Charles Burnett’s “Killer of Sheep,” a portrait of a working-class African-American family in Los Angeles, and Shu Shuen tang’s “The Arch,” a important work by the frist Hong Kongese director to achieve international acclaim [[SOURCE]]. The section also features European films such as “Die Buddenbrooks,” “Till We Meet Again,” and “Riso amaro,” alongside Italian gems like “…hanno cambiato faccia” and “Arrapaho” [[SOURCE]].

Did You Know? Film restoration is a complex process that can take months or even years to complete, involving meticulous cleaning, repair, and digital enhancement to bring classic films back to their original glory.

documentaries Illuminate Cinema History

The “Documents and Documentaries” program shines a light on the history of cinema. “Franco & Hollywood” explores how Francoist Spain used Hollywood to gain international credibility. Other documentaries include “Le Muranów de Varsovie” and “The New yorker theater: A talbot Legacy,” both focusing on the impact of cinema theaters on their audiences. The program also presents “il pianto delle zitelle,” considered an early example of neorealist cinema by Antonioni,and “Le Retour,” a poignant story of french prisoners returning home from concentration camps in 1945.

Thierry Frémaux Presents “Lumière, l’aventure continue!”

Thierry Frémaux, the director of the cannes Film Festival, will present his new film, “Lumière, l’aventure continue!,” at Cinema modernissimo. The film revisits the origins of cinema through the lens of the Lumière brothers, the inventors of the cinématographe. Frémaux will also participate in a Cinema Lesson on june 24, in conversation with Gian Luca Farinelli.

Exploring the Art of the Raconteur

Il Cinema Ritrovato delves into the history of early cinema with a focus on the raconteur, a figure who brought silent films to life through storytelling and description.Julie Linquette,a professional raconteur,will accompany screenings in the “1905” section and lead a Cinema Lesson with Émilie Cauquy at auditorium DAMSLab.

“La cinefilia. Invenzione di uno sguardo, storia di una cultura 1944-68”

Antoine de Baeque‘s “La cinefilia. invenzione di uno sguardo, storia di una cultura 1944-68” will be presented in Piazzetta Pasolini. The book explores the passion for cinema cultivated by French nouvelle vague directors in Paris from the Liberation until 1968, highlighting their contributions to film magazines, clubs, and discussions.

Mutiflix: “Les Misérables” and Films from a Century Ago

Sala Mastroianni will feature Henri fescourt’s 1925-26 adaptation of Victor hugo’s “Les Misérables,” with live musical accompaniment by Neil Brand. The “A Hundred Years Ago” program also includes films by Walther Ruttmann and Viking Eggeling, as well as rené Clair’s “Le Voyage imaginaire” and Eisenstein’s “Bronenosec Potëmkin.”

Into the Night: Evening Screenings

the festival’s evening program offers a variety of films across different venues. Piazzetta Pasolini will feature early cinema gems screened with a Stahlprojektor Imperator. Piazza Maggiore will showcase “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” while other venues will present “Arch of Triumph,” “Aranyer Din Ratri,” “Amores perros,” and the restored version of “the Story of Joanna.”

Pro Tip: Check the festival’s website for the most up-to-date schedule and ticketing details, as some events may require advance booking.

Il Cinema Ritrovato 2025: Key Events and Locations

What film are you most excited to see at Il Cinema Ritrovato 2025? How important is film restoration to preserving cultural heritage?