The Headless Woman (4K Restoration)

Introduction by Lucrecia Martel on 4/16!

World Premiere of a new 4K Restoration!

In Martel’s beguiling, critically lauded, structurally splintered psychological thriller, poised, posh professional Veroníca (María Onetto) becomes increasingly unhinged after being involved in what may or may not have been a hit-and-run incident in rural Argentina. Martel’s genius for developing tension through the fine observation of behavioral eccentricities, the construction of unusual aural landscapes, and radical composition of screen space—achieved here with DP Bárbara Álvarez—has never been so evident as in this, her third feature. Daring, disorienting, and entirely original, like Martel’s work in total, it shows us that cinema is still being invented.

Restoration carried out from the 4K scan of the original 35 mm camera negative, a first-generation internegative, and the original digital sound mix. Reference elements included a duplicate negative and a vintage 35 mm release print. The process included digital cleaning to remove the imperfections of time and color correction to restore the original brightness, contrast, and chromatic values. Effects created in the digital intermediate were preserved.

Restoration produced by Rei Pictures, with the support of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Additional support and organization by Strand Releasing USA. Carried out at Cubic Restoration in Buenos Aires. Color grading was led by Gustavo Biazzi, under the consultation of cinematographer Bárbara Álvarez; digital image restoration by Margarita Moscoso; sound work by Federico Esquerro; and mastering by Julián Giulianelli. The project was coordinated by Fernando Madedo, and the entire process was supervised by director Lucrecia Martel.

The Headless Woman opens May 8 !