Bernardo Bertolucci Retrospective Opens at MoMA 12/15

The Museum of Modern Art and Cinecittà Luce, Rome, present the cinematic oeuvre of Bernardo Bertolucci, with all new prints, December 15, 2010, through January 12, 2011. One of the most revered living masters of contemporary cinema, Bertolucci will be present to introduce the opening night screening of The Conformist (1970), a film that has deeply influenced American filmmakers as diverse as Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. The retrospective will also present the US premiere of a rare documentary by the director, Oil (1967), which was restored by Eni and Cineteca Nazionale and re-discovered at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.

At the age of twenty-one, Bernardo Bertolucci debuted at the Venice Film Festival with his first film, La commare secca (The Grim Reaper) (1962); he has subsequently won every award and accolade there is to aspire to in the world of film. Tirelessly experimental in form and content, his films have enjoyed popular as well as critical acclaim. Renowned for pushing the boundaries and creating works for adventurous audiences, as with Partner (1968) starring Pierre Clémenti, his oeuvre also contains its share of popular Oscar-winning blockbusters, including The Last Emperor (1987), which garnered nine Oscars and starred John Lone, Joan Chen, and Peter O'Toole.

The exhibition is co-produced by the Department of Film of The Museum of Modern Art and Cinecittà Luce, Rome. It is organized by Jytte Jensen, Curator, Department of Film; Camilla Cormanni and Paola Ruggiero, Cinecittà Luce; and Alessandra Bracaglia.

Bernardo Bertolucci is supported by the Cinema Department of the Italian Ministry of Culture and by Eni, a major integrated energy company committed to valuing people, environment, and integrity. Special thanks to Alitalia and the Italian Cultural Institute of New York.

Bernardo Bertolucci
December 15, 2010-January 12, 2011
The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters