Rediscovering Lost Classics: A Treasure Trove at MoMA's 'To Save and Project'
Image Source: Internet
This month, New York is abuzz with cinematic treasures from the past, thanks to the tireless efforts of film preservationists. At the Museum of Modern Art's annual 'To Save and Project' festival, audiences will have the chance to experience a diverse range of films that have been meticulously restored and preserved. The festival got off to a thrilling start with the 1934 French film 'Rapt (The Kidnapping)', directed by Dimitri Kirsanoff and starring Dita Parlo. This little-known gem tells a gripping tale of conflict between neighboring communities in the Alps, with a stunning display of formal achievements that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. In stark contrast, the opening night screening of Russ Meyer's 'Vixen!' (1968) brought a salacious and campy tone to the festival. This X-rated film, which was the subject of 23 obscenity prosecutions, has become a cult classic and is sure to delight audiences with its over-the-top performances and risqué humor. Other highlights of the festival include Lino Brocka's 'Macho Dancer' (1988), a gritty and streetwise melodrama that explores the lives of young men working in the sex industry in Manila. Mario Monicelli's 'For Love and Gold' (1966) is a hilarious medieval comedy that anticipates the absurdity of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. The festival also features a range of other films, including G.W. Pabst's 'The Joyless Street' (1925) with Greta Garbo, and Roger Corman's 'Bloody Mama' (1970) starring Robert De Niro, Bruce Dern, and Shelley Winters. In addition to the MoMA festival, the New York Jewish Film Festival is also showcasing a pair of restorations, 'I Have Sinned' (1936) and 'Our Children' (1948), which explore themes of immigration, assimilation, and the Holocaust. These powerful films are a poignant reminder of the importance of remembrance and the need to preserve our cultural heritage. Don't miss this chance to experience these cinematic treasures for yourself. The 'To Save and Project' festival runs at the Museum of Modern Art until February 2, and the New York Jewish Film Festival runs at Film at Lincoln Center until January 28.
