The highly anticipated 2024 Cannes Classics sidebar is set to kick off with a restored version of French filmmaker Abel Gance’s silent epic “Napoleon.” This monumental work of the silent era has undergone a painstaking sixteen-year restoration process, drawing from various sources to rediscover the original storyline. Reels were unearthed at prestigious locations such as the Cinémathèque française, the CNC, the Cinémathèque de Toulouse, and more, spanning across different countries.
Renowned filmmaker and restoration expert Georges Mourier led the meticulous frame-by-frame restoration, reviewing nearly 100 kilometers of film. Gance’s original editing notes and correspondence with his editor, discovered at the BNF, played a crucial role in piecing together the film in its original form.
Critically acclaimed for its technical and aesthetic innovations, “Napoleon” made its debut at the Paris Opera in 1927, captivating audiences and embarking on a global tour. However, the original reels were subsequently scattered, leading to the creation of multiple versions of the film. The “Grande Version” of “Napoleon” has not been screened since its premiere in 1927.
The film will be presented in two parts, with the first part running for 3 hours and 40 minutes as a pre-opening event at Cannes and the official opening film of Cannes Classics. A special showing featuring a live performance of the film score by 250 musicians from Radio France is scheduled at the Seine Musicale in Paris, followed by screenings at various venues and platforms including the Cinemathèque francaise, French cinemas, France Télévisions, and Netflix.
The Cannes Film Festival is slated to run from May 14 to 25, offering an exciting lineup of cinematic masterpieces and eagerly anticipated events.
