Martin Scorsese Has Launched A Free Screening Room For Classic Films
Since 1990, Martin Scorsese has devoted the non-filmmaking part of his career to film preservation, whether that means the classics of Hollywood or world cinema.
You can join Martin Scorsese in his efforts to save classic films by donating to his film preservation efforts. The donation page on the Film Foundation website allows you to choose one of their current restoration projects to donate to. A one dollar donation can fund the preservation of one frame of film, and currently, eight projects are available to donate to. Among the projects are Graham Cutts’ 1925 classic The Rat, a romantic melodrama set in Paris’ underworld.
Since 1990, Martin Scorsese has devoted the non-filmmaking part of his career to film preservation, whether that means the classics of Hollywood or world cinema. The over 900 restorations that he’s helped fund through the Film Foundation non-profit have been the subject of Criterion Collection box sets, special anniversary screenings and festival showings, and now a special monthly online screening room will give viewers a chance to see some familiar and not-so-familiar films that have been saved from destruction.
Martin Scorsese is backing up his passion for film with an effort to save some of cinema’s greatest treasures, before they are lost to time. As part of this effort, his non-profit The Film Foundation is offering an online screening room, which will present a restored classic once a month, according to a report by OpenCulture. Best of all, the screenings are free to anyone, anywhere!
The Restoration Screening Room is a website that serves as a virtual online theater. It was created by The Film Foundation and Martin Scorsese to raise awareness of their efforts by showing restored classic films online, for free, to anyone. A select film or films are posted on the website on the second Monday of each month, and is available to stream for 24 hours only. All you have to do is register with the website (it’s free) and watch the film within the 24-hour time period. It’s a unique opportunity to see films from across the world that aren’t readily available to the public. In the pandemic era, it’s a unique opportunity to bring the film festival experience home. You can even join their mailing list, to be notified of upcoming events.
The Film Foundation was founded in 1990 by Martin Scorsese for the sole purpose of film preservation. To date, over 900 films have been restored by The Film Foundation, with many then screened at festivals or special theater events. Most of the restored films are released by The Criterion Collection on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD. Many of the films are then made available on The Criterion Channel, the company’s streaming service similar to Netflix and Hulu, except every film is a classic. Scorsese, who directed classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Wolf of Wall Street, is closely involved with the foundation, which also has an education arm aimed at children, to foster their love of world cinema.
When selections are added to the Restoration Screening Room, special features about the films are available to watch as well, to provide a deeper appreciation for the film and its place in cinema history. For example, the first film that was screened, the 1945 romantic drama I Know Where I’m Going, included an introduction by Martin Scorsese. Additional features included interviews with those associated with the film, as well as enthusiasts like actress Tilda Swinton. For all films that are screened, the restoration process for the film is also covered, and a live chat is offered on the film’s premiere night.. A wide range of genres will be among the screening room’s offerings, including mainstream Hollywood classics, independent films, silent films, and documentaries.
Among the upcoming screenings for The Restoration Screening Room are selections from around the world. They include:
- June 13: Federico Fellini’s La Strada
- July 11: Govindan Aravindan’s Kummatty
- August 8: A double feature of The Chase (directed by Arthur Ripley) and Detour (directed by Edgar G. Ulmer)
- September 12: Sarah Maldoror’s Sambizanga
- October 10: Marlon Brando’s One Eyed Jacks
- November 14: John Huston’s Moulin Rouge
- December 12: Jonas Mekas’ Lost Lost Lost
You can join Martin Scorsese in his efforts to save classic films by donating to his film preservation efforts. The donation page on the Film Foundation website even allows you to choose one of their current restoration projects to donate to directly. A one dollar donation can fund the preservation of one frame of film, and currently, eight projects are available to donate to. Among the projects are Graham Cutts’ 1925 classic The Rat, a romantic melodrama set in Paris’ underworld.
Although film preservation is one of Martin Scorsese’s passions, he hasn’t slowed down on making films. His next film, Killers of the Flower Moon, is due for release later this year. He’s also reportedly working on a biopic about The Grateful Dead, with Jonah Hill starring as Jerry Garcia.
