The Empire Strikes Back has opened the sixteenth annual TCM Classic Film Festival with George Lucas.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) revealed it Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Backthe second film in George Lucas’ Star Wars Trilogy will open the sixteenth festival of classical film TCM Annual Thursday 24 April.

By celebrating his 45th anniversary, the Gala presentation will bring Lucas to present the film. The opening evening launches an exciting weekend in the heart of Hollywood, which shows exclusive themed programming around “Grand Illusioni: Fantastic Worlds in film”.

Ben MankiewiczTCM Primetime Anchor and official guest of the TCM Classic Film Festival said in a statement: “The Empire is hit it’s like The godfather part II. Yes, technically, they are sequel, the second film of a series. But they are much more.

“Empire Not only dazzled and happy Star Wars The fans pushed the boundaries of moviemaking, further deepening his characters and expanding the most popular cinematographic universe of all time.

The first Star Wars The image in 1977 turned on a new era in Hollywood and transformed a generation of young fans passionate about life films. Then, somehow, three years later, arrives Empirewhich could also be better. It is an extraordinary result and surely there is one of the great successes in the history of the film. “

Amply considered one of the greatest sequels in the history of cinema and winner of two Academy Awards, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Explore the themes of custody, discovery of oneself, sacrifice and consequences of betrayal.

The film is the protagonist Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, James Earl JonesAND Frank Oz.

TCM has previously announced the director and founder of the American Film Institute George Stevens, Jr. As a winner of Robert Osborne Award, who recognizes an individual who has contributed to keeping the cultural heritage of the classic film for future generations alive.

Stevens will present the Hollywood premiere of the 4K restoration of George Stevens: a journey as a directorThe acclaimed film that wrote and directed on the winning father of the Oscar. In addition, the Festival will pay homage to the director and producer Michael Schultz whose work has left a lasting impact on the film.

TCM has also recently announced several additional titles that will screen during the 16th Cinema Tcm Film Festival including:

• The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) – With Michelle Pfeiffer

• The Ritz (1976) – With Rita Moreno

• Babe (1995) – With James Cromwell

• The Lady Eve (1941) – With Bill Hader

• Cinderella (1950) – With Mario Cantone and Leonard Maltin

• Apocalypse Now (1978) – in 70mm

• Daisy Kenyon (1947) – Nitrate printing

• Spiritted Away (2001)

• Mothra (1961)

• Land vs. The Flying Saucers (1956)

• Pat and Mike (1952)

• Carefree (1938)

• Fantastic Voyage (1966)

• The Incredible Shreading Man (1957)

The Festival will also host the first theatrical screening of the year with a special presentation of the 50th anniversary of Jaw. Fans throughout the country can be part of the celebration during the weekend of the Labor Day when Jaw He returns to the big screen from 29 August to 4 September.

The Primetime TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz will act as an official conductor of the TCM Classic Film Festival. The official hotel of the Festival and the central meeting point will be the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a long -standing role in the history of cinema and was the website of the First Academy Awards® ceremony. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will also offer special rates for participants in the Festival. The projections and events during the Festival will be held at the TCL Chinese Theater IMAX®, the Chinese TCL 6 theaters, the Egyptian theater and a return to the historic El Capitan Theater.