Cannes, France, celebrated the 100th anniversary of Charlie Chaplin's iconic film, "The Gold Rush," with a premiere of its newly restored 4K version at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The screening, part of a new tradition of showcasing restored films on the festival's opening day, took place at Cannes' Debussy Theatre.
Festival director Thierry Fremaux highlighted the significance of the event, noting that the restored "Gold Rush" vividly brings Chaplin's Tramp character back to life in all his downtrodden glory. The restoration, which took years to complete, was carried out by La Cineteca di Bologna and involved an extensive search for any missing footage. Chaplin re-edited and re-released the film in 1942 with sound effects, music, and narration, earning it two Oscar nominations. However, the restoration aimed to stay true to the original 1925 version.
“The Gold Rush,” a silent comedy set in the Alaskan frontier, follows Chaplin's lone prospector as he navigates the snowy wilderness in search of food, companionship, and perhaps a bit of gold. The film is renowned for its deft slapstick and iconic scenes, such as the "dinner roll dance" and the Tramp's consumption of his own shoe. However, beyond the comedy, the film also poignantly portrays the Little Tramp's sweet and humble hopes for romance, which often outweigh his ambitions of striking it rich.
The premiere was attended by two of Chaplin's grandchildren, Kiera and Spencer Chaplin. Spencer Chaplin remarked that "The Gold Rush" was his grandfather's "biggest production to date," noting that Chaplin even built the set, including the mountains, which became a tourist attraction in Los Angeles at the time. Kiera Chaplin expressed her grandfather's potential pride in seeing the film celebrated a century later, with so much interest from the audience.
The screening drew a packed house, with attendees warmly received by the Chaplin descendants. This event marks the beginning of a coordinated international rollout of "The Gold Rush," with over 250 screenings scheduled across 70 countries starting June 26, exactly one century after the film's original debut. mk2 Films is organizing the worldwide release.
The Cannes Film Festival's celebration of "The Gold Rush" is not the only tribute to Chaplin this year. From July 9 to August 25, 2024, Cannes held an exhibition dedicated to Chaplin’s first feature-length film, "The Kid," at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The exhibition, developed in collaboration with Chaplin's World museum and the Bureau Chaplin, showcased the world of the iconic film and delved into Chaplin's childhood in London.
As Cannes tips its hat to Charlie Chaplin, "The Gold Rush" embarks on a renewed journey to captivate audiences worldwide, a testament to the enduring legacy of a cinematic master.
