Rosi’s Restored ‘Hands Over the City’ to Pre-Open Venice
ROME — The Venice Film Festival will pre-open with a freshly restored copy of Francesco Rosi’s “Hands Over the City” on Aug. 27, 50 years after the Italo helmer’s potent anti-corruption exposé won the fest’s Golden Lion.
World preem of a new print of Rosi’s “Hands,” digitally restored by Italy’s Cineteca Nazionale film archives, will unspool outdoors in Venice’s Campo S. Polo square the day before the 70th edition of the Venice fest kicks off on the Lido.
The 1963 “Hands Over the City,” which stars Rod Steiger as a rapacious real estate developer in post-war Naples, is Rosi’s fourth feature, instrumental in establishing his status as a master with his signature semi-documentary style.
Rosi, who won the Cannes Palm d’Or in 1972 for “The Mattei Affair,” was honored by Lido topper Alberto Barbera last year with a Venice Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
As previously announced, the 70th edition of Venice — which runs Aug. 28-Sept. 7 — will open with the world preem of Alfonso Cuaron’s 3D sci-fier “Gravity.”
The fest’s full lineup will be announced on July 25.
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