We’ve received word that Jean-Luc Godard’s classic Le Mépris is getting a 4K restoration re-release this year for its 60th anniversary. Thefilm will be included in the Cannes Classic selection at this year’s festival, screen at the BFI on London’s South Bank on June 2nd, and will be available to own on 4K UHD for the first time, on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital on 26 June.
The film (English title translated as Contempt) tells the tragic romance between Paul and his wife, Camille. Paul is enlisted the task of re-writing a film script. Whilst he becomes engrossed in writing, he appears oblivious to the film producer’s interest in his irresistibly beautiful wife, Camille. In turn, we witness the hurtful unfolding of Paul & Camille’s marriage.
The film was restored by STUDIOCANAL, with the support of the CNC. The image was scanned and restored in 4K at the HIVENTY laboratory. In order to optimize the 4K restoration, the original 35mm negative and the interpositive were used, as well as the reference print re-worked in 2002 by Mr. Raoul Coutard, Director of Photography on the feature. The restoration took 220 hours, allowing to compensate for the defects linked to the wear of time, such as deviations in colours and lighting.
Here’s the trailer.
Special features for the home release include:
- Il était une fois… Le Mépris (52mn) on the Blu-ray UHD
- An introduction by Colin MacCabe (6mn) UHD
- Paparazzi by Jacques Rozier (22mn)
- Le parti des choses by Jacques Rozier (10mn)
