167-171 Time to Play: Films by Jacques Rozier

[Peacock]

Rentrée des classes got a couple of votes in the last Sight&Sound Greatest Film of All Time - Top Ten lists as well!

One of only two or three Rozier pictures to get nominated I believe.

[GaryC]

This is quite something as, as far as I can tell, other than Adieu Philippine (which I saw when Mubi streamed it in 2024) none of the features have had UK commercial releases before. So Rozier may be a name more heard about than seen here. And Adieu Philippine hasn't been on the radar for years - it had a cinema release in 1965 and I can trace two television showings in 1968 and 1969, but since that nothing. The BFI Archive has two 35mm prints but I don't remember any recent showing of them. As for the other four features, no television showings that I can trace.

But based solely on Adieu Philippine, and the short Blue Jeans (which I also saw on Mubi but which won't be included here), I'm definitely looking forward to this set.

[Zot!]

This is quite something as, as far as I can tell, other than Adieu Philippine (which I saw when Mubi streamed it in 2024) none of the features have had UK commercial releases before. So Rozier may be a name more heard about than seen here. And Adieu Philippine hasn't been on the radar for years - it had a cinema release in 1965 and I can trace two television showings in 1968 and 1969, but since that nothing. The BFI Archive has two 35mm prints but I don't remember any recent showing of them. As for the other four features, no television showings that I can trace.

But based solely on Adieu Philippine, and the short Blue Jeans (which I also saw on Mubi but which won't be included here), I'm definitely looking forward to this set.

The same is true in the US. I was originally exposed to Rozier through some kind of battered VHS of Philippine from Facets in Chicago at a time there were no screenings. I can't remember how I was prompted to try it in the first place, but it might have been via a Godard endorsement or something. In 2008 Potemkine released that DVD set that had English subs, which I bought and loved, and since then there has been slow movement towards retrospectives, and the Criterion acquisition. But the Radiance set is absolutely a great discovery for hopefully a great many people.

[domino harvey]

Adieu Philippine is also the lengthy scene by scene case study used by Christian Metz in Film Language— when I first read it there was no copy available anywhere, so maybe the book sees a resurgence

[spectre]

This is a wonderful release, not just for the upgraded versions of Rozier's first four features but also the first English-subtitled release of Fifi Martingale, which unlike some on here I really enjoyed. Hopefully a few further extras including missing shorts make it onto the set between now and its release!

Director box sets seem so rare nowadays that it's particularly thrilling to see Radiance doing them from time to time. Together with the recently relaunched Eclipse line, with luck, we may just be on the brink of another golden age of packed director sets.

[domino harvey]

For those on the fence, if that’s even possible, let’s note that this box contains three of the greatest French films of all time, a fourth that’s pretty good (haven’t seen Fifi) and also does NOT contain No No Nanette, which is value added for those who feel compelled to watch every short and feature

[swo17]

the short Blue Jeans (which I also saw on Mubi but which won't be included here)

Blue Jeans is included in the Radiance set

[Zot!]

For those on the fence, if that’s even possible, let’s note that this box contains three of the greatest French films of all time, a fourth that’s pretty good (haven’t seen Fifi) and also does NOT contain No No Nanette, which is value added for those who feel compelled to watch every short and feature

Sorry, what does No No Nanette have to do with anything? Also what is the third masterpiece in your estimation? the first two I can guess. I haven't seen Fifi either, so I'm looking forward to that, even if it seems to have a poor reputation.

[TechnicolorAcid]

For those on the fence, if that’s even possible, let’s note that this box contains three of the greatest French films of all time, a fourth that’s pretty good (haven’t seen Fifi) and also does NOT contain No No Nanette, which is value added for those who feel compelled to watch every short and feature

Sorry, what does No No Nanette have to do with anything? Also what is the third masterpiece in your estimation? the first two I can guess. I haven't seen Fifi either, so I'm looking forward to that, even if it seems to have a poor reputation.

I assume the Dom is referring to Adieu Philippine, Near Orouët and Maine Ocean-Express.

[therewillbeblus]

No No Nenesse is a godawful Rozier short that's painful to watch, so it's a blessing it's not included in the set so that people don't have to subject themselves to its grating "humor" as they go through the extras

[domino harvey]

I meant No No Nenesse and yes, those would be the three

[Zot!]

Ah thanks, I have not seen that, it looks...questionable by description alone. I was confused because there is a 1920 American musical called No No Nanette. I'm excited to revisit Maine Ocean, but remember it being considerably less compelling than the two irrefutable masterworks.

I brought this up a while ago but once people get a chance to watch the films again (or for the first time), I wonder what people think about how much Ostlund's Triangle of Sadness was indebted to Rozier's Turtle Island. I can't imagine he hadn't knicked with intent.

[Murdoch]

Radiance has saved what is otherwise so far a terrible year (at least beyond the realm of physical media). Near Orouët is one of the greatest French films I've seen, with its runtime flying by despite its casual pacing. It's certainly a must see for anyone who loves Rohmer.

My Potemkine set is one of my three most cherished releases and I hope this sells out to encourage Radiance to do more of these risky sets by underseen directors.

[JSC]

I hope the 'More TBC' will ultimately include Rentrée des classes . When I got the Potemkine set, I decided
to watch everything chronologically so that film was my intro to Rozier and I knew from the start that he was a
unique director.

[Zot!]

If any obsessives are interested the following ARE on the English Friendly Potemkine DVDs, though I would need to check to see if these extras are actually subbed, or if it is just the films:

Rentrée des classes (1956)

Supplément au voyage en terre "Philippine" (2008) - Short from 2008 where "Jacques Rozier comments on photos from the set and excerpts from Adieu Philippine." (as per the Cinematheque Francaise)

and a couple more extended interviews: Jean-François Stévenin (20'), Interview with Jean Douchet (20')

I checked and the Potemkine DVD has English subs for Rentrée des classes, but none of the extras.

[bottlesofsmoke]

How long does it usually take for Radiance titles to show up on Orbit?

It’s not at Orbit yet but Atomic Movie Store has it now, $75.99 and free shipping.

Over the moon about this, hopefully everyone who blind bought the Oshima set does the same with this.

[therewillbeblus]

How long does it usually take for Radiance titles to show up on Orbit?

It’s not at Orbit yet but Atomic Movie Store has it now, $75.99 and free shipping.

Over the moon about this, hopefully everyone who blind bought the Oshima set does the same with this.

Thanks, and it just popped up on Orbit as well

[Murdoch]

I feel like I'm becoming a spokesperson for the Movie Room site, but as a heads' up for US buyers, this is available on their site for 74.99 plus $6 shipping, however the code BEYOND10 takes ten percent off to bring it to about $74 total.

[T!me]

You can count me as another Orouët-fanboy. I can't really add anything new to all the praise so I just want to highlight the scene where they're entering Orouët by bike and pass the casino sign while loudly shouting what's written on it. I can't think of another 15 seconds in cinema history that captures such pure, youthful euphoria without feeling contrived.

[TechnicolorAcid]

Per their social media:

Thrilled to confirm that, alongside his 5 feature films, our box set TIME TO PLAY includes 4 shorts from Jacques Rozier:

Blue Jeans
Paparazzi
Le parti des choses
Lettre de la Sierra Morena

Still wish we had Back to School as that’s without a doubt Rozier’s best short but this is still nonetheless very exciting!

[swo17]

Only the last of those was missing from the initial announcement

[domino harvey]

Nice, I've had a pot going for that last one for a while on back channels

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Nice, I've had a pot going for that last one for a while on back channels

It's actually been available on Criterion Channel.

[spectre]

I haven't read anything about Lettre de la Sierra Morena, but the pairing of Rozier and Luchini sounds like a match made in heaven – excited to check it out!

[andyli]

Reviewed over at Blu-ray.com.