Description
The project aims to protect and preserve Czech cultural heritage by restoration and digital transcription of Czech cinematographic works. The overall objective of the project is to make Czech film heritage accessible to general public through new technologies (Blue-ray media, TV broadcasting in HD, modern cinemas with digital projection) and preserve the film heritage for future generations. Thanks to the project 14 selected films and film programmes (created between 1898 – 1977) will be digitally restored and scheduled for release including the release on DVD and Blu-Ray. Important contribution to the project will be made by the Norwegian National Library, which is responsible for preservation and restoration of a collection of Norwegian film heritage. The bilateral partnership will consist of three workshops focused on mutual exchange of experience pertinent to caring for audiovisual heritage, continuous consultations and exchange of knowledge throughout the project and beyond. In the end of the project two publications will be created.
Summary of project results
The project has supported one of the fundamental missions of the National Film Archive which is to preserve awareness of the Czech film heritage among the general public, not only sustaining it for coming generations, but also providing contemporary generations with access to it. The project has helped to preserve 14 selected films of the Czech film heritage and make them accessible to public through the digitization and digital restoration while using modern media technology (Blu-ray, HD TV broadcasting, digital projection in modern cinemas). Films were selected from a list entitled “200 Czech Films for the First Phase of Digitization” which was drawn up in 2010 by a Film Council committee for the Czech Ministry of Culture. Prior the digitization, extensive research including detailed inspection of available film material had been conducted and living authors and creators of the more recent films interviewed. Both the research and interviews were crucial to achieving the intended final appearance of the digitized motion picture. Digitization and digital restoration was subsequently carried out by an external supplier selected as the winner of the public procurement procedure. Thanks to CESNET´s involvement in the project, the entire digitization and digital restoration process could be continuously directed, supervised and documented by the NFA´s experts. IT specialists from project partner CESNET ensured the internet connection both with the external supplier and the other project partner – the Norwegian National Library. Moreover, the project focused on educational activities with the aim to emphasize social, cultural and technical circumstances under which films came into being, acquaint general public with the digitization process and deepen awareness of Czech film culture from years gone by. Promotional material dedicated not only to specific films, but to cinematography in general have been distributed, lectures and discussions organized. Digitized films have been distributed to digitized movie houses and shared with contemporary viewers on a wide range of other platforms – on DVD or Blu-ray, through video on display systems or on TV broadcasts.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian National Library has played a key role as the project partner and acted as the main advisory body. 3 workshops, focused on topics related to digitization and digital restoration of the film heritage, were organized. The experts from both institutions have shared their knowledge and know-how related to the required standards for long-term archiving of digital content, opportunities for archiving including the use of metadata and sustainable identifiers.