The screening will be introduced by Curator of Film at MoMA, Dave Kehr.
Rosita is a costume romance set in a mythical Spain, where a lecherous King (Holbrook Blinn) has his eye on a popular but provocative street singer (Mary Pickford). She, in turn, yearns for the handsome young nobleman (George Walsh) who rescued her from the angry king’s guards—and has been condemned to a dungeon for his troubles. The Queen (Irene Rich) wisely bides her time, waiting for the right moment to intervene. Following the American success of his German historical epics (Madame DuBarry, Anna Boleyn), Ernst Lubitsch was invited to Hollywood by Mary Pickford to direct her in what would become her first adult role. The result is this thoroughly enchanting blend of the “cast of thousands” period films that Lubitsch had been making in Germany and his emerging interest in bittersweet romantic comedy.
The music was recorded live at the 2017 premiere of MoMA's restoration of Rosita at the Venice International Film Festival, conducted by Gillian Anderson and performed by the Mitteleuropa Orchestra.
Restoration funding provided by The Louis B. Mayer Foundation, RT Features, The Film Foundation and the Celeste Bartos Preservation Fund. Special thanks to the Mary Pickford Foundation and Filmmuseum München.