Restored Masterpiece: 'Tasio' Selected for Cannes and San Sebastian Festival

© SSIFF

The renowned film "Tasio" (Montxo Armendáriz, 1984) has received a new lease on life thanks to the meticulous restoration efforts of the Basque Film Archive. The restoration, undertaken at the esteemed L'immagine Ritrovata laboratories in Bologna, has revitalized this significant piece of Basque cinema history, ensuring its preservation for future generations to appreciate.

The restoration process, conducted in October and November 2023, involved the careful handling of the original film materials, which were housed at the Filmoteca Española. Under the supervision of director Montxo Armendáriz himself, the film underwent a comprehensive restoration journey at the hands of skilled technicians. The process included manual revision and repair, ultrasound cleaning techniques, digital scanning, image stabilization, scratch removal, dirt elimination, color grading, and sound restoration.

The result of this painstaking restoration effort is a pristine 4K definition version of "Tasio," ready to be showcased to audiences once again. The film has been selected for the Classics section of the prestigious Festival de Cannes, scheduled to take place from May 14 to 25. Audiences at Cannes will have the opportunity to experience "Tasio" in all its restored glory, celebrating its cultural significance and artistic merit.

Following its premiere at Cannes, "Tasio" will then open the Klasikoak section of the 72nd edition of the San Sebastian Festival in September. This section holds particular significance for the film, as it marks the location of its original premiere 40 years ago as part of the Official Selection. Returning to San Sebastian in its restored form is a testament to the enduring impact and relevance of "Tasio" within the cinematic landscape.

The selection of "Tasio" for both Cannes and the San Sebastian Festival underscores its enduring legacy and importance in the realm of Basque cinema. As audiences prepare to witness this restored masterpiece on the big screen once again, it serves as a reminder of the power of film to transcend time and connect audiences across generations.