Abu Dhabi Film Festival collaborates with Martin Scorsese

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 28 September, 2014 – Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF), powered by twofour54, has announced a collaboration with Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation/ World Cinema Project (WCP).

As part of the collaboration, two newly restored international masterworks – THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES, directed by Sergei Parajanov and MANILA IN THE CLAWS OF LIGHT, directed by Lino Brocka – will be screened during ADFF, which takes place from October 23rd to November 1st, 2014. Both films were digitally restored in 4K resolution by the Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation/World Cinema Project and will be shown with existing English subtitles as well as new Arabic subtitles, provided by ADFF.

Established in 1990 by Martin Scorsese, The Film Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and presenting motion pictures. By working in partnership with the leading archives, museums and studios, the foundation has saved over 620 films and shown these restorations throughout the world. The Film Foundation created the World Cinema Project (WCP) to focus on the preservation and restoration of neglected films from around the world – particularly those countries lacking the financial and technical infrastructure to preserve their indigenous cinematic history.

WCP will be hosting a workshop at ADFF aimed at raising awareness for the global cause of film preservation and educating filmmakers about the importance of preserving their films. ADFF will work to promote future screenings of films restored by WCP at other festivals in the Arab region and across the globe.

Ali Al Jabri, Festival Director, said: “Cinema is an international language and ADFF strives to bring about enthusiasm, variety and a celebration of this universal form of expression. We are delighted to be collaborating with WCP to present these landmark films from Armenia and the Philippines as part of our strong commitment towards the global cause of film preservation and restoration. Each film is a cinematic revelation depicting a culture seldom seen by audiences on-screen.”

THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES (1968) by Armenian director Sergei Parajanov, is a biography of the Armenian poet Sayat Nova that attempts to reveal the poet’s life visually and poetically depicting his coming of age, discovery of the female form, falling in love, entering a monastery and dying, all framed through both Parajanov’s imagination and the poems of Sayat Nova.

MANILA IN THE CLAWS OF LIGHT (1975) by Filipino director Lino Brocka, is an intense melodrama shot on the streets of Manila depicting the richly romantic but realistic odyssey of a boy named Julio, who arrives in Manila from the country to search for his childhood sweetheart, Ligaya. It is widely considered a landmark achievement of Filipino cinema.

“We’re honored to be a part of ADFF this year and present a special program on restored films by The Film Foundation (TFF) and the World Cinema Project,” said Margaret Bodde, Executive Director of The Film Foundation. “ADFF and TFF share a global commitment to the importance of film preservation, education, and public exhibition and we look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

The Film Foundation (TFF) and long-time partner Gucci will be presenting a special 4K screening of REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE directed by Nicholas Ray. The film was digitally restored by Warner Bros., with support from Gucci and The Film Foundation. Also being presented by is the digital restoration of THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, which was restored by the Academy Film Archive in association with the BFI National Archive, ITV Studios Global Entertainment Ltd., and The Film Foundation. TFF will present clips showing the “before and after” restoration process as part of the program at ADFF. Also screening is A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, directed by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone, which was restored by the Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory and screening at ADFF courtesy of The Film Foundation for its 50th anniversary.

Two other films celebrating their 50th anniversary this year have also been newly restored and will be shown as part of the Restored Classics on this occasion: Walt Disney’s celebrated musical MARY POPPINS starring Julie Andrews; Richard Lester’s acclaimed rock n’ roll musical A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, starring The Beatles and featuring a newly created surround sound mix at Abbey Road Studios.

For film images please click here

About Abu Dhabi Film Festival

Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF), powered by twofour54, is presented each October to help create a vibrant film culture throughout the region. With a focus on Arab cinema and the wealth of emerging and established film talent from around the world, ADFF has become one of the most anticipated cultural events in Abu Dhabi, helping to enhance the emirate as a hub of creativity.

Abu Dhabi Film Festival is committed to curating exceptional programs and engaging and educating the local community with their own and other cultures through the art of cinema. The films of Arab film directors are presented in competition with those of the most respected film-makers from all over the world.

About twofour54

twofour54, the commercial arm of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi, is a leading media and entertainment hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, aiming to nurture the development of creative industries in the region through supporting talent, content development, and young entrepreneurs.

As part of its mission to help Arabs realise their ambitions across diverse media platforms, twofour54 provides financial support, a creativity lab that engages members in creative projects, as well as training and networking opportunities through tadreeb, and world-class production facilities through intaj. All of these services are supported by its end-to-end business services provider, tawasol.

A key contributor to the UAE’s economic growth and diversity, twofour54’s Abu Dhabi campus is home to more than 300 local, regional and international media and creative companies including Ubisoft, Cartoon Network, Sky News Arabia, CNN, Flash Entertainment, Sports 360, Reed Exhibitions, Charisma, Tahadi and Jawaker.

twofour54 powers the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and Abu Dhabi Media Summit annually to drive the development of a vibrant film and entertainment industry. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) is also part of twofour54 and offers international projects incentives such as a 30 per cent cash-back rebate on their first production.