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It’s hard to believe but David Cronenberg’s erotic thriller “Crash” is already 23-years-old. Debuting at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Prize, the film has sustained a cult audience due to its unique story and, of course, the controversy that comes with any film that depicts sexual situations that are instigated by violence. Now, almost a quarter-century after its premiere, “Crash” is getting a brand-new 4K restoration and a spot at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

Recorded Picture Company and Turbine Media Group have completed work on their 4K restoration of “Crash” that was supervised by the film’s writer-director Cronenberg and director of photography Peter Suschitzky. Perhaps best of all, the 4K restoration is the uncut, NC-17 version of the film. As mentioned, the film has been selected to screen at this year’s Italian festival and will then look for worldwide distribution afterward.

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For those that aren’t familiar with Cronenberg’s cult-classic, “Crash” tells the story of James Ballard and his wife Catherine, who are on the hunt for authentic experiences. They cross paths with a scientist that seeks sexual fulfillment by crashing cars. “Crash” is based on the novel by author J.G. Ballard.

“Strange to think that this movie needed restoration,” said Cronenberg. “Seems like only yesterday that we were shooting it. Just emphasizes the fragility of our beautiful art form, but also its resilience. Wonderful to see it and hear it in its full glory after its loving resurrection by Turbine.”

Recorded Picture Company’s Jeremy Thomas added, “Delighted that this meticulous restoration, done by Turbine and supervised by David Cronenberg and Peter Suschitzky, will be available for people who loved the film and new audiences, and fans of David Cronenberg and J.G. Ballard.”

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And for those film geeks out there that are curious how the 4K restoration was created, the uncut “Crash” was created based on the original negative of the film. Multiple film experts were brought in to oversee the transfer and ensure that nothing was lost in the conversion. This meticulous approach helped preserve grain structure and detail.

For those not attending Venice, we’ll make sure to keep an eye on when the 4K restoration will get a formal release around the world.