F.W. Murnau’s Silent Classic ‘Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans’ Opens Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival With Definitive Restoration and Live Orchestra

F.W. Murnau's 1927 silent film "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans" opened the 40th Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy, on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The screening featured a definitive restoration of the film and was accompanied by a new live score performed by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna orchestra. Approximately 7,000 spectators attended the outdoor screening in Piazza Maggiore. The festival, which runs until June 30, is dedicated to film preservation and restoration, showcasing classic and rediscovered cinematic works. This year’s edition highlights the work of directors like Murnau and Jean-Luc Godard, with over 100 films presented in various restored formats. The restoration of "Sunrise" was a collaborative effort involving the Cineteca di Bologna and the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation, utilizing original nitrate prints and other archival materials to achieve a historically accurate presentation. The film, considered a landmark of German Expressionism and cinematic storytelling, was originally released by Fox Film Corporation. The festival aims to bring these restored films to a wider audience, emphasizing the importance of preserving cinematic heritage for future generations.