Key Facts
The 40th edition of Italy's Il Cinema Ritrovato festival opened on June 22, 2026, with a definitive restoration of F.W. Murnau's silent classic 'Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans.' Approximately 7,000 spectators gathered in Bologna's Piazza Maggiore to witness the 1927 masterpiece, accompanied by a live orchestra performance.
Restoration Details
The San Francisco Film Preserve spearheaded the restoration, which involved both 35mm and 4K digital processes. President Robert Byrne noted that the biggest challenge was the absence of original material, as the negatives were destroyed in a Fox vault fire in the 1930s. The team scoured archives globally to identify the highest quality surviving materials, collaborating with institutions such as the British Film Institute National Archive, Cinémathèque royale de Belgique, The Museum of Modern Art, Eye Filmmuseum, Národní Filmový Archiv (Prague), and George Eastman Museum. The final grading took place at Bologna's L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory.
Live Orchestra and Score
A new score composed and conducted by Timothy Brock, a world-renowned film music expert, was performed live by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna orchestra. Brock's composition added a fresh dimension to the silent film, enhancing the viewing experience.
Festival Highlights
The 2026 edition of Il Cinema Ritrovato runs through June 28 and features 540 rediscovered vintage films from around the world. Festival chief Gianluca Farinelli emphasized the mix of great classics and totally unknown works, calling it a year of remarkable discoveries. Notable guests include Isabella Rossellini, Marco Bellocchio, Wim Wenders, Irène Jacob, Amos Gitai, Pietro Marcello, Rosalie Varda, Nicolas Seydoux, Thierry Frémaux, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Arnaud Desplechin, Lav Diaz, Bill Morrison, Francesco Sossai, and Alice Rohrwacher. Rohrwacher, who has seen 'Sunrise' eight times, recently announced plans to make a silent film herself.
Closing Event
The festival will conclude on June 28 with the world premiere of recent MoMA restorations of Charlie Chaplin's 'A Dog's Life' and 'Shoulder Arms,' presented in their original 1918 versions. These will be accompanied by a live performance by Orchestra Senzaspine of Timothy Brock's new orchestral scores.
What Readers Should Know
- The restoration of 'Sunrise' is a landmark achievement in film preservation, demonstrating the power of international collaboration.
- Il Cinema Ritrovato continues to be a premier event for rediscovering cinematic treasures, attracting top filmmakers and archivists.
- The live orchestral accompaniment underscores the importance of music in silent film presentations.
FAQ
What is the significance of the 'Sunrise' restoration shown at Il Cinema Ritrovato?
The restoration is considered definitive, using 4K digital technology and materials from archives worldwide to closely replicate the original 1927 appearance, despite the loss of the original negatives.
Who performed the live score during the opening screening?
The Teatro Comunale di Bologna orchestra performed a new score composed and conducted by Timothy Brock, a leading expert in film music.
How many films are featured at the 2026 Il Cinema Ritrovato festival?
The festival showcases 540 rediscovered vintage films from around the world, including both classics and previously unknown works.