The British Film Institute is mounting a major retrospective devoted to the work of British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock
www.bfi.org.uk/hitchcock/

The British Film Institute (BFI) is celebrating and exploring The Genius of Hitchcock this summer with the most comprehensive examination ever of his body of work – the biggest project the BFI has ever undertaken. Incorporating:

All surviving Hitchcock films on the big screen with a 3 month BFI Southbank Season

• ‘39 Steps to the Genius of Hitchcock’ – our guide to the great director in a compelling new BFI publication and digital experience
• Newly restored Blackmail (1929) at British Museum with live score from Neil Brand
• Champagne (1928) with new live score from Mira Calix at BFI Southbank
• Tippi Hedren, star of The Birds (1963) and Family Plot (1976) star Bruce Dern on stage
• The Ring (1927) and Champagne (1928) screened live across the UK via The Space

The culmination of a 3 year BFI National Archive project Rescue the Hitchcock 9 to restore Hitchcock’s silent films, revealing new layers of meaning.

Newly commissioned scores from exciting contemporary musical talent for four of the restored silent films performed at spectacular screenings in venues across the capital as part of the London 2012 Festival celebrations:

Anny Ondra in 'Blackmail' (Image: BFI)

The Pleasure Garden (1926), Wilton’s Music Hall, 28 & 29th June, with Daniel Patrick Cohen first score for Hitchcock’s first film

Blackmail (1929), British Museum, 6th July with Neil Brand score. The first feature film ever to be screened outside this iconic venue, which also features in the film alongside other London landmarks. Tickets go on sale today Tickets priced £11-15 go on sale today via www.bfi.org.uk/hitchcock

The Ring (1927), Hackney Empire, 13th July with Soweto Kinch’s new score performed at a venue Hitchcock himself frequented. The film helped inspire The Artist according to its director Michel Hazanavicius.

The Lodger: a Tale of the London Fog (1926), Barbican, 21st July, Nitin Sawhney score commissioned in association with Network Releasing

Principal funding for the restoration of these four films was provided by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Film Foundation.

Major three month BFI Southbank Genius of Hitchcock Season (August – October), in partnership with American Express, featuring all 58 surviving Hitchcock films and special on-stage events.

Extended runs at BFI Southbank of The Lodger and Vertigo alongside nationwide theatrical releases of both titles. A selection of the titles featured in The Genius of Hitchcock will also screen at cinemas across the UK.

New BFI Hitchcock publication 39 Steps to The Genius of Hitchcock – original essays from 39 eminent critics, curators and historians including Camille Paglia, Charles Barr, Matthew Sweet, Laura Mulvey and Patrick McGilligan, offering fresh, accessible, unique and revealing perspectives on Hitchcock. Edited by James Bell. On sale summer 2012.

Digital project ‘39 Steps to the Genius of Hitchcock’, an engaging digital journey through Hitchcock’s obsessions, themes and achievements via www.bfi.org.uk/hitchcock/

Hitchcock’s Britain display in The Mezzanine, BFI Southbank, featuring rare material focusing on Hitchcock’s relationship with Britain.

· Two new Hitchcock collections available to view free in BFI Mediatheques around the UK, including the surviving films he worked on before his directorial debut, plus rarely seen documentaries about Hitchcock’s life and work.

· Comprehensive coverage of Hitchcock’s British career and his key collaborators at BFI Screenonline.

For further details, visit: www.bfi.org.uk/hitchcock/