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The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) renewed its 2004 commitment to film preservation by making a $200,000 donation to The Film Foundation.  The contribution was accepted by Foundation supporter Leonardo DiCaprio at the HFPA’s Annual Installation Luncheon on August 11th at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

On behalf of The Film Foundation’s Board of Directors, Leonardo DiCaprio thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for “its generosity, leadership and commitment to the cause of film preservation.”  In addition, he praised HFPA for the 1.4 million dollars they have contributed over the past nine years which has helped fund the restoration/preservation of over 50 feature films, including such major restorations as John Cassavetes’ FACES (1968 ), David Lynch’s ERASERHEAD (1977), Stanley Kubrick’s PATHS OF GLORY (1957), and John Ford’s HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941), among many others.

This year’s generous contribution funded the landmark restoration of legendary director Jean Renior’s THE RIVER (1951).  Considered by many to be one of the most strikingly beautiful films every photographed in 3-strip Technicolor, the film focuses on the childhood of an English girl coming of age in India and grappling with familiar Renoir themes: love and hate, life and death, decay and renewal.  The film has been virtually out of circulation for decades, the original negative held in London at the British Film Institute (bfi).  This restoration is a unique collaboration between BFI, the Academy Film Archive, Janus Films, The Film Foundation and the HFPA.  

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Film Foundation teamed up to host the world premiere of the newly restored PATHS OF GLORY (1957, dir. Stanley Kubrick), starring Kirk Douglas and Adolphe Menjou, at the Directors Guild of America theater on Thursday, July 22, at 7:00 p.m.  The screening was introduced by director-screenwriter Curtis Hanson, Honorary Chairman of the UCLA Film and Television Archive.   

PATHS OF GLORY was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive, using for reference Mr. Kubrick’s personal 35mm print, which was provided by his wife. 

Instrumental to the process was the assistance of Leon Vitali, who not only appeared as an actor in numerous Kubrick films, but also served as a technical advisor to the director for almost three decades, particularly with regard to quality control of film prints and video releases.  

Restoration of the film was completed with the cooperation of MGM Studios and with funding from The Film Foundation and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.  “One of the key objectives of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is to contribute to other nonprofit organizations connected with the entertainment industry,” said Lorenzo Soria, President of the HFPA.  “We are proud that the association has contributed $1,400,000 to The Film Foundation for its outstanding efforts toward the preservation and restoration of film history during the past nine years.  The premiere screening of the restored PATHS OF GLORY is a powerful testament to the merit of our contributions.” 

On Thursday, May 20, The Film Foundation and Vanity Fair hosted "Reel Talk" at the Directors Guild of America in New York City. The third event in an ongoing series celebrated the Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Robert Altman and Buck Henry. Moderated by Stuart Klawans, the three engaged in a lively dialogue on the relationship between film and politics. A reel of clips from Altman’s most notable films and those that have inspired him — including NASHVILLE, TANNER 88, SECRET HONOR, BATTLE OF ALGIERS, and CITY OF GOD — was also shown. Following the discussion, more than 350 guests enjoyed Gallo of Sonoma wines and specialty cocktails compliments of Hpnotiq at a private party on the 42nd floor of Le Parker Meridien, overlooking the spectacular Manhattan skyline. Greater Miami Convention and Visitor’s Bureau was also a sponsor of the event.

Picture: Buck Henry and Robert Altman at the Reel Talk NY event.

On June 5, 2004, Martin Scorsese and The Film Foundation presented a special screening of Luchino Visconti's 1963 Italian epic THE LEOPARD (Il Gattopardo) at the Lake Placid Film Festival. The rare restored print was provided courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox.  

Starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale, THE LEOPARD compares in scope and subject matter to our own classic "Gone with the Wind." Set in 1860, the film focuses on a Sicilian Prince, Salina (Lancaster) who is coming to terms with the unification of Italy. Cardinale plays the Prince's gorgeous daughter Angelica, whom he uses as a pawn in his drive for social ascent. Alain Delon plays Tancredi, whose gradual involvement with Angelica forms one of the great cinematic love stories of all time. The film wraps up with a legendary banquet scene, which film historians have called one of the greatest set-pieces in movie history."

THE LEOPARD is one of the true masterpieces of world cinema," said Kathleen Carroll, co-founder of the Lake Placid Film Festival, when announcing the screening. "Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Michael Cimino have all used the film as a source of inspiration. In fact, Scorsese ranks it along with 'The Red Shoes' and 'Citizen Kane' as one of the films he lives by.”

 Picture: Martin Scorsese and Kathleen Carroll at the screening of THE LEOPARD