Murnau's 'Sunrise' Opens Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival
Originally published Jun 22, 2026
By Nvivarelli · Variety
AI-generated summary based on Variety · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jun 22, 2026
Key points
- A definitive restoration of 'Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans' opened the 40th Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival.
- The film was shown in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore to an audience of around 7,000 people.
- A live orchestra from the Teatro Comunale di Bologna performed a new score alongside the silent film.
- The event underscores the importance of film preservation and the revival of early cinematic works.
A definitive restoration of F.W. Murnau’s 1927 silent film 'Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans' premiered at the 40th edition of Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival. The event took place in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, where approximately 7,000 attendees watched the film accompanied by a live orchestra from the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. The new score was performed alongside the restored classic, marking a significant moment in film preservation and celebration.
The festival, known for showcasing restored and rare cinematic works, opened with this iconic piece of early cinema. The live orchestral performance enhanced the experience, emphasizing the film’s historical and artistic value. 'Sunrise' remains a landmark in silent film, and its presentation at the festival highlights ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize classic cinema for modern audiences.
Read the original story: Variety — by Nvivarelli