Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.3

[rrenault]

I will say they've probably become more lax about what they're willing to release on blu ray. I'm sure Jeanne Dielman, The Exterminating Angel, and Two or Three Things I Know About Her would have all gotten blu ray releases had they come out today. Conversely, I doubt films like Zazie in the Metro or The Makioka Sisters would have received blu ray editions had they joined the collection in 2009.

[rrenault]

By the way, I recently received an e-mail from Jon Mulvaney answering a question of mine. He said they currently don't have plans to receive L'Avventura, L'Eclisse, or the Six Moral Tales on blu ray at the moment. Just thought I'd put the info out there.

[zedz]

One thing that bothers me is the fact they couldn't release La Notte, because they couldn't secure an extra, at least that's the claim according to a post somewhere on this forum. Why don't they just release it with what they have to get the 1080p transfer out there, considering they haven't been so hesitant to put out films with few features recently.

With regard to this title, that seems like a very unlikely story (how hard is it to get people to talk about Antonioni?). Given how much restoration activity there's been on the Antonioni front of late, it seems much more plausible to me that they're waiting for a new restoration.

[Cinephrenic]

I'm surprised for L'avventura and L'eclisse. They must not be hot sellers.

[rrenault]

It doesn't surprise me really. With the exception of perhaps Pierrot Le Fou and Fat Girl, every single catalog title that initially joined the collection before the start of their blu ray era, but was then subsequently upgraded either:

A) Had an audience outside of hardcore cinephilia (i.e. Days of Heaven, The Third Man)

B)May not be too well known, but is marketable to a market beyond cinephilia for very obvious reasons (i.e. If, The Man Who Fell to Earth)

C)Is only really known among cinephiles, BUT is accessible enough to appeal to a wider audience (i.e. Army of Shadows, Diabolique, Le Cercle Rouge)

D)They're the most gateway of gateway art films and anyone who even considers delving into cinema as an artform is expected to start with them among all other films (i.e. 8 1/2, Seventh Seal, Breathless, The 400 Blows)

I'LL ADD ANOTHER CONDITION:

E) The current Criterion release is so poor it would be a crime to leave the film languishing in such a sorry state (i.e. Diabolique, Walkabout, and perhaps Solaris, given the tint of the B & W scenes)

Amarcord was an incredibly popular film in the US when it was released, and it appealed to an audience well beyond the art house crowd. And the fact that Solaris is sci-fi gives it marketability.

I may be generalizing a bit, but neither L'Avventura nor L'Eclisse meets any of these conditions.

In short, Criterion tends to only upgrade films to blu ray they think would have appeal beyond cinephilia, and the two Antonioni films do not. Sure, Criterion's given blu ray treatment to such niche films, since they've begun their blu ray era, but the trend seems to be that they upgrade catalog titles that are marketable to a wider but still curious demographic in some way, shape, or form.

[swo17]

They both easily fit condition D. I'm sure this is just a case of other things being higher priorities right now, for whatever reason.

[rrenault]

L'Avventura and L'Eclisse are just as important as the films I listed next to condition D. Don't get me wrong, but films like 8 1/2 and The 400 Blows are also more accessible, and they tend to appeal to a more casual film explorer whereas something like L'Eclisse probably would not.

[Tom Hagen]

Yeah, L'Avventura particularly was a watershed in ways too numerous to list here. Just one point of reference: it made the decennial Sight and Sound top ten polls in '62, '72, and '82.

[rrenault]

L'Avventura was a watershed, and I'm not denying that, but one also can't ignore the fact that some of the other Continental European classics from that time period are simply far more popular nowadays, such as 8 1/2, Breathless, and The 400 Blows, and that obviously factors into their decision on what to and what to not upgrade.

[matrixschmatrix]

I think that was true earlier in the upgrading process, but they're getting down to the shorter strokes now- I don't know that the Double Life of Veronique is more accessible than L'Avventura, and Smiles of a Summer Night is certainly more obscure.

I wouldn't be surprised if the decisions about Blu were dictated as much by available elements and how much work would need to go into the upgrade as they were by anything about the film itself- the Leopard and the Red Shoes, for instance, both seemed prompted as much by a ready-to-hand new restoration as they did by feelings about the films.

[andyli]

For the record, Criterion's The Leopard blu-ray has nothing to do with that 'ready-to-hand new restoration'.

[matrixschmatrix]

Was that after the blu? I remember there was a newly restored print touring, but couldn't remember the chronology.

[Will Barks]

There is even a Blu-ray out of the new restoration, in France and only French subs.

Here's a comparison between the new and the old restoration

[SpiderBaby]

I'm wondering if those rumored Chabrols (Les cousins and Le beau Serge) will still be for September (that is what they were rumored for right)?

[Cinephrenic]

Where do you get September?

[rrenault]

La Ceremonie seems to be on the horizon, as well.

[aox]

I am still shocked that Criterion still hasn't released an Ozu on BD. It's like they don't even like his films.

[SpiderBaby]

Where do you get September?

I thought the end of last year someone posted September (could of been just Fall 2011 but thought it was September).

[zedz]

I think that September is when they're coming out in France. I don't think there's been any evidence that Criterion are doing the synchronized swimming thing on this. (Have they ever gone day and date with another international release?)

[rrenault]

Is Godard's Weekend actually coming or is it just rumors and speculation facilitated by wishful thinking?

[SpiderBaby]

Here is when I saw it on here (looks to be just a guess based on the other releases. Sorry.):

Edit: Other posts while searching this forum says these 2 films are in Criterion's hands.

[SpiderBaby]

Is Godard's Weekend actually coming or is it just rumors and speculation facilitated by wishful thinking?

I got an e-mail straight from Janus Films saying they have this. So yes Criterion will most likely release it next year after Janus.

[rrenault]

Well aren't Janus and Criterion the same company anyway?

[rrenault]

Also, I noticed The Man Who Fell to Earth will be released theatrically this summer in North America courtesy of Rialto, and I'm wondering if this implies an impending North American home video release, Criterion or not. I think the occasion of the theatrical run is the 35th anniversary.

[SpiderBaby]

^ Rialto also now has Pierrot le fou (weird, seeing Janus still has it on their site too), so take that for what it's worth.

I just want them to hurry up and bring out Les Carabiniers and Le Petit Soldat so Criterion can release these babys with some features and better transfers.