The Cannes Film Festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey with the world premiere of an unrestored 70mm print, introduced by Christopher Nolan.
The event is set for May 12 as part of the Cannes Classics program. The screening will also be attended by members of Kubrick’s family, including his daughter Katharina Kubrick and his longtime producing partner and brother-in-law Jan Harlan.
Nolan, who will be attending the festival for the first time, will also participate in a Cannes masterclass on May 13, during which he will discuss his filmography and his passion for Kubrick’s work.
For the first time since the original release, this 70mm print was struck from new printing elements made from the original camera negative. Nolan worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the mastering process.
Christiane Kubrick said, “I’m delighted that ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ will be reissued in 70mm, and that Cannes has chosen to honor it. If Stanley were alive today, we know he would be in admiration of the films of Christopher Nolan. And so, on behalf of Stanley’s family, Iwould personally like to thank Christopher for supporting his film.”
Nolan said in a statement, “One of my earliest memories of cinema is seeing Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ in 70mm, at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with my father. The opportunity to be involved in recreating that experience for a new generation, and of introducing our new unrestored 70mm print of Kubrick’s masterpiece in all its analogue glory at the Cannes Film Festival is an honor and a privilege.”
