Criterion Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol.2

[oldsheperd]

If you go to dvdempire's site and look up Phantom of Liberty, it shows the statue of liberty butt thing as being the cover. Unfortunate.

[Cinephrenic]

Why is this unfortunate? Great poster art I think. Shares the style with The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. Fits the theme and humor perfectly.

[Lino]

YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!



My wish came true!

[FilmFanSea]

If you go to dvdempire's site and look up Phantom of Liberty, it shows the statue of liberty butt thing as being the cover. Unfortunate.

I thought it was the head of a penis ... (and the droopy torch implies impotence)

Either way, it's perfectly Buñuelian.

[bunuelian]

Except Bunuel hated it.

[oldsheperd]

Bunuel hated it. That's why its unfortunate. However, it does fit in with Discreet Charm.

[Lino]

Of course they do. They're both from the same artist.

[Buttery Jeb]

Well the cover isn't up on Criterion's website, so for all you who don't like it, you still have a chance.

"Don't Player Hate, Congratulate"

-BJ

[Cinephrenic]

Except Bunuel hated it

Most directors don't like the posters and marketing type stuff of their films. Besides, where did you hear that?. Was it from his writings?

[godardslave]

Well the cover isn't up on Criterion's website, so for all you who don't like it, you still have a chance.

"Don't Player Hate, Congratulate"

-BJ

Yes, this happened with the Three war films [wadja] box set as well, DVD empire put up one cover on its site, and then after a few weeks a modified [and in this case improved] official cover appeared at the official criterion site.

[Gregory]

I think it's a lot better than the Rialto poster:

[oldsheperd]

I got no problem with the cover. It's been used alot. It would be nice if it was different. Maybe the Eiffel Tower wearing a dress.

[bunuelian]

Yes, I think it might have been in My Last Sigh, though I could be mistaken.

The Rialto poster is hideous, so they (theoretically, at this point) chose the lesser evil.

[todcraproductions]

I think it's in Objects of Desire where he mentions his Poster Hatred. I'm sort of torn, myself. I kind of like (at least the Discreet Charm one), but could see where Bunuel wouldn't, as it doesn't really have much/anything to do with anything and seems to be more saying "WHOA LOOK SURREAL FILM HERE!!11". But it IS an intriguing image, so... yeah. I've got one of the US original posters for Discreet Charm but it's as much for the film itself, one of my favorites, than the image.

As for Phantom of Liberty I'm overjoyed that Criterion's releasing it finally, but I'm not so enamoured of that particular poster design, though it is Clever. And, hey, at least it's not the Rialto "Kinkiest Comedy!" design, which has been scientifically proven to make the Baby Jesus Cry.

[bunuelian]

Acutally I think the Rialto poster might make the Baby Jesus masturbate.

You're right, it's the Discreet Charm image Bunuel was so mad about. I suspect he didn't have any involvement in the marketing of his films, and was annoyed at the artwork that ended up selling them. It's reasonable to assume that he didn't like the butt with torch any more than he liked the lips with legs. My main point is that these images aren't especially "bunuelian," if I may be so bold.

I have the French poster for "Obscure Object"with the sewn-up lips on my bedroom wall, which he probably didn't like either (although at least it makes you squirm, instead of laugh).

I'd buy this disc if it had a huge picture of G.W. Bush with the words "Jesus is Lord!" printed underneath it.

[J M Powell]

I'd buy this disc if it had a huge picture of G.W. Bush with the words "Jesus is Lord!" printed underneath it.

Come to think of it, Bunuel would probably have gotten a real kick out of that.

[GringoTex]

Except Bunuel hated it.

The Phantom of Liberty Poster has become iconographic. Doesn't really matter what Bunuel thought about it 30 years ago- it was the right choice for Criterion to make.

[oldsheperd]

I'd prefer Dubya being crucified with a crown of money on his head.

[exte]

Acutally I think the Rialto poster might make the Baby Jesus masturbate.

Is that really necessary?

[justeleblanc]

I have the French poster for "Obscure Object"with the sewn-up lips on my bedroom wall, which he probably didn't like either (although at least it makes you squirm, instead of laugh).

Where can I see what that looks like, I can't seem to find it.

[todcraproductions]

It usually shows up on eBay quite often. Of course, I just did a search, and it's not up there now, but that's where I've seen it quite frequently. (Also tried a google image search -- mostly just got variations on the Butt, usually croppings, but one or two where the torch is replaced with an opened umbrella.) But basically, it's a pair of disembodied lips with string wrapped around them like a parcel.

It's been a little while since I've seen it (haven't done a "bunuel" search on ebay for a while), but I remember liking it a little bit more than the Buttmingo.

[justeleblanc]

Thta's a great OBSCURE OBJECT poster!!

[kevyip1]

Yep, great cover for Hoop Dreams.

OTOH, they just can't get enough of these big closeups of heads:

[Cinephrenic]

OTOH, they just can't get enough of these big closeups of heads:

Well they got the butt.

[mbalson]

Today at work I noticed a one page ad in a crappy industry magazine. It seems to show Life Aquatic with slightly different cover art. Click for larger version.