©Waka Films
The Locarno Film Festival confirms it will screen two freshly restored classics as part of its 77th edition, taking place from 7 to 17 August 2024 with its industry event Locarno Pro running 8 to 13 August. Silver Bear winner Samba Traoré (1992) by Burkinabé director Idrissa Ouédraogo is currently being restored by the Festival in collaboration with the film’s Swiss coproducer and international rights holder Waka Films and thanks to a partnership with Zurich and Berlin based film lab Cinegrell. The film is set to screen as part of the Histoire(s) du Cinéma – Heritage Online strand.
At the same time, the Cinémathèque suisse is restoring the Swiss-French classic Repérages (Faces of Love, 1977) by Michel Soutter and starring Delphine Seyrig and Jean-Louis Trintignant, which will be presented in the Festival's section Histoire(s) du Cinéma – Cinéma Suisse Redécouvert.
The selection of the two films is announced during the panel “Reviving the Classics: Restoring and Releasing Cinematic Heritage in Switzerland and Beyond” during the Festival de Cannes’ international market Marché du Film, where Switzerland is this year's Country of Honor. At the panel, Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival Giona A. Nazzaro, Head of Locarno Pro Markus Duffner, director of the Cinémathèque suisse Frédéric Maire, and CEO of distributor Carlotta Films Vincent Paul-Boncour discuss Swiss and international distribution efforts of classics, as well as the role of festivals in rediscovering these films and the tools for rights-holders and distributors currently at hand.
Heritage Restoration Contest
Last year the Festival also launched the Heritage Restoration Contest, an open call for applications for international classic and library films in need of complete or partial restoration. The first ever Heritage Restoration Contest was won by Mulher de Verdade (1954) by Brazilian Alberto Cavalcanti, after almost 30 films from 15 different countries were submitted. The restoration process by Cinegrell is currently in full swing and the restored version of the film, represented by Cinemateca Brasileira, will also premiere at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in the Histoire(s) du Cinéma – Heritage Online section. The winner of this year's Contest will be announced during the Locarno Pro Award Ceremony on Sunday, 11 August 2024.
Heritage Monday
For the second time, Locarno Pro, will offer a full day dedicated to Heritage Film industry, on Monday, 12 August 2024 in the framework of Heritage Online. Panel discussions on the state of the heritage film distribution, case studies and presentations of brand-new restored films, as well as industry screenings of classics will be the core of this day. The full program will be announced in July.
Heritage Online
Heritage Online is a worldwide heritage and library films database dedicated exclusively to industry professionals. Rights holders of these films can connect with streaming platforms and distributors, with a mission to help classic titles find a new commercial life and facilitate their distribution. On Heritage Online, streamers and other buyers can watch the available titles, consult the relevant detailed technical information – including the availability of films in the various territories – and get in touch directly with rights holders. Rights holders (international sales agents, film libraries, archives, institutes, and restorers’ associations among others) can share their catalogues with potential clients.
Locarno Pro is possible thanks to the support of the Federal Office of Culture / MEDIA Desk Suisse.
