UCLA FILM AND TELEVISION ARCHIVE PRESENTS
THE 11th FESTIVAL OF PRESERVATION

LOS ANGELES, CA - The historical sweep and technical wizardry of the UCLA Film and Television Archive's preservation projects - from early silent films and Golden Age classics, to fascinating rarities and contemporary gems ­ will be showcased in the 11th Festival of Preservation screening July 25 ­ August 24, 2002.

Audiences at the biennial Festival will celebrate an entire century's worth of moving images with more than 45 feature films, television and newsreel programs and short subjects being screened. The month-long event is not only an established part of the Los Angeles cultural landscape, but also a preeminent film event worldwide.

For the July 25th kick-off event, Philips Electronics and The Film Foundation will host the world premiere of the newly restored THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1954), starring Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner and Edmond O¹Brien. The opulent picture was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive from the original 3-strip technicolor negative with funding from The Film Foundation and Robert B. Sturm, and with the cooperation of MGM Studios. UCLA Film and Television Archive Chairman and noted film director Curtis Hanson (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, 8 MILE) will be on hand opening night at the Director¹s Guild of America theatre complex in Los Angeles.

Thursday, August 10th, the Festival will spotlight a painstakingly restored print of the poetic American masterpiece THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955). The only film ever directed by actor Charles Laughton, the movie features Shelley Winters, Lilian Gish, and an iconic performance by Robert Mitchum as the murderous preacher with the words "love" and "hate" tattooed on his fingers. Archive Preservation Officer Robert Gitt will present a special program of restored outtakes from the film on August 15th.

Many other classic Hollywood films are included in the Festival: THE KID BROTHER (1927), perhaps the best of Harold Lloyd¹s films; the epitome of 1930¹s screwball comedy, THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937), starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant; Henry Fonda¹s debut performance in THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE (1935); and boxing drama CHAMPION (1949). Actor Kirk Douglas will attend the August 23rd screening of CHAMPION, the film that defined his energetic, brawny - yet sensitive - cinematic persona (and gave him his first Oscar nomination).

The 11th Festival of Preservation will showcase independent cinema in several programs, all featuring special invited guests. First, pioneer director John Cassavetes¹ brilliant riff on American life, SHADOWS (1960), unspools July 27th with actors Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel, Lelia Goldoni and Al Ruban answering audience questions post-film. Next, August 9th brings UNCHARTED LAND: AN EVENING OF INDEPENDENT FILM PRESERVATION - an eclectic program of short narratives and experimental films with featured directors Charles Burnett and Sid Laverents in person. And finally, an August 16th screening of John Sayles¹ MATEWAN (1986) including a discussion with cinematographer Haskell Wexler.

In addition, the special program "MUSIC, HUMOR AND HUMAN INTEREST IN THE NEWSREELS" (1929-34) revels in the lighter side of newsreels with a Jimmy Durante performance and chorus girls dancing on top of a skyscraper. And several classic Hallmark Hall of Fame television offerings will also be shown: A STORM IN SUMMER (1970) starring Peter Ustinov, WE TWO (1972) directed by Carl Reiner and written by Rod Serling, and VICTORIA REGINA (1961) starring Julie Harris.

Most of UCLA Film and Television Archive¹s 11th Festival of Preservation programs will screen on-campus at the James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall (at the northeast corner of UCLA¹s Westwood campus - near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Hilgard Avenue). Tickets are available at the theater one hour before showtime. Admission for on-campus events is $7 general, $5 students and seniors.

Parking is available in Lot 3 for $7. For further information, please call (310) 206-FILM or visit www.cinema.ucla.edu.