STUDIOCANAL and la Cinémathèque française are proud to announce the premiere of the newly restored 4K versionof Marcel Carné’s cinematic landmark LE QUAI DES BRUMES(PORT OF SHADOWS, 1938). The film will debut in the Venice Classics section at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Friday, August 29th at 2:30 PM in SALA CORINTO.
LE QUAI DES BRUMES, a cornerstone of French poetic realism, was restored in 4K by STUDIOCANAL and la Cinémathèque française,with the support of theCentre national du Cinéma et de l’image animéeandCHANEL.Frédéric Bonnaud(General Director of la Cinémathèque française), and Juliette Hochart(Executive Vice President of Library at STUDIOCANAL) expressed their pride in preserving this cinematic masterpiece for future generations. “This restoration is the result of years of trust and collaboration with la Cinémathèque française, and the vital support of CHANEL and the CNC. To be part of Venice Classics selection, which seeks to recapture the richness of great cinema, is a powerful tribute to cinema’s heritage,” said Juliette Hochart.
Directed by Marcel Carné and written by Jacques Prévert, the film captures the melancholy and fatalism of pre-war France, with luminous performances and shadow-soaked cinematography by Eugène Schüfftan. Michèle Morgan’s transparent raincoat and beret – widely believed to reflect CHANEL’s aesthetic – remain one of cinema’s most enduring visual icons.
LE QUAI DES BRUMES stars Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan in a haunting tale of love and lost chances. Jean, a deserter from the Colonial Army, arrives in the misty port of Le Havre, hoping to vanish from the world. Guided by a gentle tramp, he finds refuge by the harbor and meets Nelly, a young woman caught in her own quiet despair. As love sparks between them, Jean glimpses a chance at redemption. But in the fog-bound streets, fate is always close behind – and just as hope takes root, tragedy strikes.
This restoration reaffirms STUDIOCANALand la Cinémathèque française’s commitment to preserving heritage cinema. The image restoration was carried out at the Transperfectlaboratory using a combination of the film’s incomplete original negative and a 1938 standard nitrate fine grain. Color grading referenced a vintage 35mm nitrate print to faithfully capture Eugène Schüfftan’s haunting cinematography and honor Alexandre Trauner’s iconic set design. The project was supervised by Sophie Boyer, responsible for library restoration, and Jean-Pierre Boiget, EVP Distribution Services & IT, both at STUDIOCANAL.
LE QUAI DES BRUMES will be available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital platforms in select territories starting October 2025. The film will receive its home entertainment release via STUDIOCANALin the UKon October 13thand in Franceon October 15th, with a U.S. release via Kino Lorber expected in 2026(TBC). A theatrical release is planned in Francevia Carlotta FilmsinQ4,as well as in the USAwith Rialto Pictures in 2026.
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