Cannes 2024-“Napoleon seen by Abel Gance”: a titanic restoration in the world preview
The 77th Cannes Film Festival already promises to be a memorable event for all cinema enthusiasts, and in particular for those who are thirsty to rediscover the forgotten treasures of cinematographic history. Indeed, the opening of Cannes Classics promises an unforgettable experience with the projection in the world preview of Napoleon seen by Abel Gance (1st era)a monumental work of silent cinema, restored with meticulous care by the Cinémathèque française, with the support of the CNC.
For moviegoers around the world, Napoleon seen by Abel Gance is much more than a simple film. It is a legend, a centerpiece of cinematographic art, a real visual epic that transcends eras. The work, which extends over an epic duration of 7 hours, is divided into two eras, the first of which will be revealed during this historic projection in Cannes.
The restoration of this emblematic work required titanic work extending over more than sixteen years. The teams of the Cinémathèque française have traveled the world in search of dispersed film fragments, working with relentlessness to recompose the original framework of the film. Various sources, ranging from the French cinematheque to Denmark, via Serbia, Italy and New York, were explored in order to find each image, every moment of this cinematographic fresco.
The research was carried out by a dedicated team led by Georges Mourier, who supervised this colossal work consisting in assessing almost 100 kilometers of film. This research made it possible to find key elements of the film, in particular the assembly notes of Abel Gance and the exchanges with its editor, found at the BNF, which were essential to reconstruct the film in its original version.
The historical and artistic importance of Napoleon seen by Abel Gance cannot be overestimated. Released for the first time in 1927 at the Paris Opera, the film immediately captured the public by its avant-garde technical and aesthetic innovations. Abel Gance, daring visionary, has been able to push the limits of cinematographic language using revolutionary techniques such as cameras mounted on horses and the famous final triptych, projected on three screens simultaneously.
Unfortunately, with the advent of speaking cinema, Napoleon seen by Abel Gance was the victim of incessant mutilations and reassembly, losing little by little from its original splendor. For decades, the film has been presented in various versions, but never in its complete and original form, so far.
The presentation of the first era of Napoleon seen by Abel Gance In Cannes therefore marks a historical moment in the history of cinema. This is an opportunity for spectators to rediscover this masterful work in all its greatness, and for the new generations of moviegoers to dive into the epic and visionary universe of Abel Gance.
The projection in Cannes is only the start of the adventure to Napoleon seen by Abel Gance. Indeed, the film will then be presented in its entirety during exceptional symphonic film concerts, with the participation of 250 musicians from Radio France in the Seine Musicale in Paris, on July 4 and 5, as well as at the Radio France festival in Montpellier. He will then go around the summer festivals and French cinemas before being broadcast on the screens of France Télévisions and Netflix.
Almost a century after his first projection, Napoleon seen by Abel Gance thus finds all its glory and its greatness, thanks to the commitment and passion of dedicated professionals to preserve the cinematographic heritage. This colossal work of restoration testifies to the importance of preserving and celebrating the history of cinema, an art which captures the very essence of humanity and which continues to inspire us and amaze us.
The 77th Cannes Festival, which will take place from May 14 to 25, 2024, promises to be an unforgettable moment for cinema enthusiasts. In addition to highlighting the most captivating contemporary productions, which often constitute the best films of the year and which will harvest the most prestigious awards of cinema, the event offers a rare opportunity to revisit the history of cinema and rediscover forgotten treasures, as Napoleon seen by Abel Gance. It is a celebration of cinematographic art in all its splendor, as well as a sincere tribute to those who work tirelessly to preserve this heritage and share it with the whole world.
Neïla Driss
