Ask about the top five most influential sci-fi movies ever made, and there’s a good chance that Stanley Kubrick’s timeless classic 2001: A Space Odyssey will be included on the list. If you can believe it, that movie has hit its 50th anniversary, and as a part of its celebration, it will be released this May 12 as a part of the Cannes Classics program during the Cannes Film Festival.

The film will be presented in an unrestored 70mm print, which will be introduced by filmmaker Christopher Nolan, whose latest film Dunkirk hit theaters last year. The print was struck from new printing elements made from the original camera negative, and what’s more, Nolan himself worked with the team over at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the mastering process.

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The screening will also be attended by Stanley Kubrick’s daughter Katharina Kubrick and producing partner and brother-in-law Jan Harlan — so this is kind of a big deal. Here’s what Christiane Kubrick had to say about the event.

“I’m delighted that 2001: A Space Odyssey will be reissued in 70mm, and that Cannes has chosen to honor it. If Stanley were alive today, we know he would be in admiration of the films of Christopher Nolan. And so, on behalf of Stanley’s family, I would personally like to thank Christopher for supporting his film.”

And on that note, Nolan himself had the following to say:

“One of my earliest memories of cinema is seeing Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, in 70mm, at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with my father. The opportunity to be involved in recreating that experience for a new generation, and of introducing our new unrestored 70mm print of Kubrick’s masterpiece in all its analogue glory at the Cannes Film Festival is an honor and a privilege.”

Now if only I could get a badge to the Cannes Film Festival…

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SOURCE: Variety