A Season of Classics Films is a series of free film screenings and parallel activities across Europe to raise awareness of the work of European national and regional film archives, especially among young adults. Most of the films are new digital restorations and some screenings include exciting elements such as live performances or experimental electronic music.
With 22 participating institutions, the initiative also aims to support the reopening of European film archives, all affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic means the events will be subject to certain limitations, several institutions also plan worldwide free streaming events to enable greater access. All films are available with English subtitles. Additionally, French or other subtitles are in some cases available.
This is an initiative of the Association des Cinémathèques Européennes (ACE) with the support of the EU Creative Europe MEDIA programme.
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Travel through Switzerland / Reise durch die Schweiz | Switzerland, 1920-1961, 102′
*New digitisation world premiere*. With English subtitles. Cinema screening and online streaming, organised by Lichtspiel / Kinemathek Bern. The programme remains available to view online.
These unique short films offer an eclectic view of the past in different regions of Switzerland, from aviation pioneers in the 1920s to progressive women in the 1960s.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
Summer Daydream: A Selection of Vintage Bulgarian Short Films | Bulgaria, 1926 – 1940, 70′
* New restoration world premiere*. Cinema screening and online streaming with live music, organised by the Bulgarian National Film Archive. The archived live streaming features an introduction about the films and musical accompaniment by violinist Boyana Zhelyazkova and pianist Yasen Obretenov.
A compilation of early Bulgarian films depicts life in Bulgaria in the interwar period with a pinch of humour and it takes the viewers to an imaginary vacation in the Black Sea and the countryside.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
Sanz and the secret of his art / Sanz y el secreto de su arte | Spain, Maximiliano Thous and Francisco Sanz, 1918, 65′
An unusual hybrid between documentary and fiction displaying the manufacture and handling of animated human-like dolls, known as automata, and the fictitious adventures of Don Liborio.
The archived live streaming features an introduction about the film and piano music by Arcadi Valiente Galbis. The film is restored and presented by Filmoteca Valenciana – Institut Valencià de Cultura.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
White Paradise / Bílý ráj | Czechoslovakia, Karel Lamač, 1924, 73′
The film remains available to view online. Music: Tomáš Vtípil.
Nina falls for the good heart and piercing eyes of an escaped prisoner and decides to help him visit his dying mother for the last time. The premiere screening was followed by a live discussion on ‘Classics Today‘. The screening and discussion are organised by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
Be Prepared! / Buď připraven! | Czechoslovakia, Svatopluk Innemann, 1923, 64′
The film remains available to view online. Music: Wabi Experience.
Buď připraven! portrays the early Czech boy scout movement taking the audience to astonishing locations, such as Orlík castle and St John’s Rapids, the latter of which no longer exists. This is a new digital copy of the tinted and toned original film. Preserved, digitised and presented by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
The Sins of Love / Hříchy lásky | Czechoslovakia, Karel Lamač, 1929, 73′
The film remains available to view online. Music: Ožvold & Ožvold & Kratochvíl.
A provincial couple of actors moves to the city and the wife becomes a star. The premiere screening is followed by a live discussion on ‘Music for Film‘. The screening and discussion are organised by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
Films of Jana Kříženecký [compilation] | Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1898-1911, 90′
This programme remains available to view online. This compilation of shorts introduces some of the earliest films made in the Czech lands, shot by Jana Kříženecký from 1898 to 1911. The digitised original negatives and vintage prints allow us to see their diversity and material beauty. The compilation is presented with commentary by film restorer Jeanne Pommeau. The premiere screening was followed by a live discussion on ‘Presenting Early Cinema‘. The screening and discussion are organised by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
The Lovers of an Old Criminal / Milenky starého kriminálníka | Czechoslovakia, Svatopluk Innemann, 1927, 109′
The film remains available to view online. Music: Vojtěch Procházka.
A silent farce with two men who swap their identities to escape marriage. After the live stream, the film will remain available to view online. The screening is organised by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
A Quiet Summer / Мирно лето [Mirno Leto] | Yugoslavia, Dimitrie Osmanli, 1961, 99′
* New restoration world premiere*. Open-air screening and online stream, organised by the Cinematheque of North Macedonia. The film remains available to view online.
A young couple yearns for their summer peaceful retreat by the lake. Will they manage to escape from the very same faces they are trying to hide away?
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
Frosina / Фросина [Frosina] | Yugoslavia, Voislav Nanovic, 1952, 79′
* New restoration world premiere*. Open-air screening and online stream, organised by the Cinematheque of North Macedonia. The film remains available to view online.
Frosina, a single mother who suffered a lot in life and lost many children, faces the fear of losing her only surviving child in the fight for freedom…
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
Gypsies / Cikáni | Czechoslovakia, Karel Anton, 1921, 85′
*New digitisation premiere*. The film remains available to view online. The screening is organised by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
A film adaptation of the eponymous novel by Karel Hynek Mácha – author of the celebrated epic poem May – about a Venetian gondolier whose beloved is enticed away by a wealthy foreigner.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
The crucified / Ukřižovaná | Czechoslovakia, Boris Orlický, 1921, 60′
The film remains available to view online. Music: Ondřej Dizzcock (Ondřej Bělíček).
An adaptation of Jakub Arbes’ novel that deals with the socio-political climate of the mid19th century, antisemitism, war and love. The story takes place during the 1866 riots in Poland during which peasants crucified a Jewish woman. The screening is organised by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague.
PROGRAMME DETAILS & ACCESS LINK
The man who had his hair cut short / De man die zijn haar kort liet knippen | Belgium, André Delvaux, 1965, 95′
The new restoration had its world premiere in two free special screenings at the CINEMATEK to celebrate the cinemas reopening in Belgium! This is a digital restoration in 2K from the original negative material preserved and restored by the Cinémathèque royale de Belgique / Koninklijk Belgisch Filmarchief. About the programme.
trailer about the film and the restoration
Bubble Bath / Habfürdő | Hungary, György Kovásznai, 1979, 76′
The new restoration had its world premiere in two live streaming events, which are not accessible any longer. The restored film will soon premiere in the cinema. The film is restored and presented by the Nemzeti Filmintézet Magyarország – Filmarchívum / National Film Institute Hungary – Film Archive. About the programme.
trailer about the film and the restoration
Seven Slovenian Shorts | Yugoslavia, 1946-1984, 82′
A rare overview of Slovene filmmakers within the Yugoslav federation. The world premiere of the new restoration was presented last June by the Slovenian Cinematheque. About the programme.
Introduction to the films and their restoration
PARTICIPATING FILM INSTITUTIONS
ALL ANNOUNCEMENTS
2021-09-02 | TRAVEL THROUGH SWITZERLAND
2021-08-25 | ‘THE WAYWARD GIRL’ BY EDITH CARLMAR
2021-08-12 | PREMIERE OF THE RESTORED FILM ‘DERBORENCE’ (1985)
2021-06-28 | COMIZI D’AMORE BY PP PASOLINI
2021-06-27 | FISHERMEN AND FISHING (1961) – AN UNKNOWN GREEK MASTERPIECE
2021-06-22 | SEVEN SLOVENIAN SHORTS
2021-06-18 | ONE SONG A DAY TAKES MISCHIEF AWAY (1970)
2021-06-17 | SUMMER DAYDREAM – A SELECTION OF VINTAGE BULGARIAN SHORT FILMS
2021-06-15 | DUTCH NOUVELLE VAGUE: ‘A MORNING OF SIX WEEKS’ (1966)
2021-06-12 | PREMIERE OF THE RESTORED PORTUGUESE SILENT FILM ‘MARIA DO MAR’ (1930)
2021-06-11 | TWO NEW RESTORATIONS FROM THE CINEMATHEQUE OF NORTH MACEDONIA
2021-06-08 | CELEBRATING THE CINEMAS REOPENING IN BELGIUM
2021-05-23 | FIGHT FOR THE MATTERHORN (1928)
2021-05-17 | PREMIERE OF THE RESTORED ALBANIAN FILM ‘THE DEATH OF A HORSE’
2021-04-15 | SHE DIDN’T SAY NO! WORLDWIDE FREE PREMIERE ON THE IFI PLAYER
2021-04-08 | DISCOVER CZECH SILENT FILMS FOR FREE FROM APRIL TO JUNE
2021-02-05 | FREE WORLDWIDE SCREENING OF ‘SANZ AND THE SECRET OF HIS ART’
2020-10-27 | LIST OF FILMS: DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME CATALOGUE
2020-10-15 | THE NEW SEASON OF CLASSIC FILMS TO BE PRESENTED AT FESTIVAL LUMIÈRE
2020-08-31 | THE NEW SEASON OF CLASSIC FILMS TO BE PRESENTED AT IL CINEMA RITROVATO