New York City to be Breathless, May 2010 [Criterion Restoration]

James McCormick — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:12:59 +0000

Everyone living in New York City should mark May 28th down on their calendars because it is a very important day in cinema appreciation. That is because Rialto Pictures, purveyors of classic films, are unveiling their new beautiful 35mm print of the classic film “Breathless” at the Film Forum and will then do a national rollout for its 50th anniversary event.

This new restored version was first unveiled at the Berlin Film Festival in February and will next make its impact at the inaugural TCM Classic Film Festival at Hollywood’s Chinese Theater next month, April 22 – 25.

The re-release specialists acquired the U.S. Theatrical rights to the quintessential French New Wave film, which was written by Francois Truffaut and was the directorial debut of Jean-Luc Godard. It starred both Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg, making a star of Belmondo and furthering the career of Seberg.

Rialto founder Bruce Goldstein has said, “But ‘Breathless’ is in a class by itself. It’s not only one of the most important films of the last half-century, still inspiring new generations of moviemakers, but it’s just as fun and audacious as it was 50 years ago.”

The “Breathless” restoration is the first ever done for it and was supervised by Beatrice Valbin from StudioCanal. The English subtitles were redone by Lenny Borger, film historian, who is now working on a translation for Godard’s latest film, “Socialisme”.

Rialto also picked up the theatrical rights to two other 1963 Godard films, “Le petit soldat” and “Les Carabiniers.” The deal was made with Paris-based film company Pretty Pictures.

Source: Variety

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New York City to be Breathless, May 2010 [Criterion Restoration]