Ymagis Group, the European specialist in digital technologies for the cinema industry, has announced the launch of Celluloid Angels, the first crowdfunding platform to finance the restoration of cult and classic films.
Created for film enthusiasts, the Celluloid Angels platform aims to help bring heritage films to life in a digital era. Without restoration, films currently on print stock are destined to undergo chemical alterations over time, rendering them unusable. With 35-mm film stock having been phased out, the number of cinemas likely to screen physical film prints is also dwindling. Celluloid Angels will bring new life to these works in digital format.
Celluloid Angels will bring the public into the heart of the action by involving them in the restoration process, heretofore reserved solely for film professionals. Throughout the duration of the restoration works, contributors will be able to follow the progress of the project online and discuss directly with specialists in private online forums. Guided tours of the studios involved in the restoration work, invitations to private screenings or social events as well as the opportunity to meet with professionals of the restoration community will also be available to those who contribute.
UPCOMING PROJECTS:
The site's lineup for 2016 already includes over 15 titles such as Georges Lautner's
Les Tontons Flingueurs, Nagisa Oshima's
In the Realm of the Senses, Luc Besson's
The Big Blue,
La folie des grandeurs ("Delusions of Grandeur") by Gérard Oury as well as Max Ophüls'
Yoshiwara and Julien Duvivier's "L'Homme du jour" ("The Man of the Hour"), among others. In close collaboration with rights holders already involved in the restoration of heritage films, cult films and never-released (or non-remastered) titles will now be available to audiences wishing to see motion pictures restored to their original state.
Celluloid Angels aims to be involved in the restoration of 15-20 films in 2016.
Eclair will bring its technical expertise to each of the titles available on the platform. Founded in 1907, it is the oldest film lab in the world and a pioneer in the digital restoration of film and audiovisual works.
With an initial launch in France, the platform will open up to international locations in autumn 2016. The objective is to bring together the largest possible community of film enthusiasts to provide international financing for the restoration of classic films. The website is available at http://www.celluloid-angels.com