Cinema’s Lost Classics Get a Second Life

Read Time:3 Minute, 46 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Found Emulsion
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2022, 2024 Wild Eye Releasing DVD
Runtime: 41m
Director(s): Glenn Andreiev
Where To Watch: available November 26, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.mvdshop.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: In the world of cultural conservation, committed teams of cinema enthusiasts champion the cause of film preservation. FOUND EMULSION plunges into the depths of this endeavor, highlighting the imperative to rescue and revitalize cinematic relics from the brink of obscurity. This documentary celebrates these efforts and is a plea for recognizing and safeguarding our film heritage. The biggest knock on the film is its runtime; at only 40ish minutes, the film stopped before it got fully up to speed.

FOUND EMULSION expands the narrative of film preservation, spotlighting an eclectic mix of mid-century television, exploitation films, and educational shorts. This dive into a diverse media spectrum exposes the fragility of these forms, charting their journey from physical decay to the threat of permanent extinction and emphasizing the crucial ongoing battle to preserve these stories for future generations.

At the heart of the documentary is director Glenn Andreiev, a film historian whose previous works have also explored forgotten cinematic corners. In this latest documentary, Andreiev uncovers lesser-known cinematic treasures—quirky B-movies and informative films—that risk fading into history despite their cultural significance. FOUND EMULSION celebrates individuals, from private collectors to teams of preservationists, united by a shared mission to rescue and restore these overlooked chapters of film lore.

The documentary does not shy away from critiquing the fleeting nature of television history, recounting how programs like Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Doctor Who were nearly lost (and in part were) to posterity due to the industry's past practice of reusing tape. These tales of some narrow escapes and significant losses underscore the precariousness of our artistic heritage in the face of time and neglect.

The documentary also addresses the shortcomings of digital archiving, which was once heralded as a foolproof method for safeguarding media. By illustrating the vulnerability of digital formats to wear, FOUND EMULSION stresses the ongoing necessity for robust preservation strategies to ensure that our cinematic history remains accessible to future audiences. Although some of the aspects of this are no longer true, the fragility of physical drives has been taken care of with solid-state media.

Woven throughout the film are stirring accounts of rediscovery and redemption, such as the recovery of a pristine print of Carl Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc in Norway. FOUND EMULSION also challenges the selective nature of preservation efforts, questioning why some works are deemed more preservation-worthy than others. This critical perspective encourages viewers to consider a more inclusive approach to film history, valuing all media contributions equally.

Visually, the film employs dramatic juxtapositions of decaying film reels against the clarity of restored footage, effectively dramatizing the urgent need for preservation. These stark visual contrasts and detailed discussions of the restoration process underscore the cinematic medium's vulnerability and resilience.

FOUND EMULSION is an homage to the film's enduring legacy and the relentless spirit of those dedicated to its preservation. By interlacing stories of forgotten films, overlooked television broadcasts, and quirky shorts, the documentary invites audiences to broaden their appreciation for the scope of media preservation. FOUND EMULSION reminds us that every film frame can shape our collective memory.

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[photo courtesy of WILD EYE RELEASING, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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