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Looks like the Chantal Akerman set is now being offered by mediadis, an English-friendly site that ships internationally. Not sure about their rates.

Thanks for all the info from everyone-I just ordered the set from the site.

I, too, just ordered a copy of this set from mediadis. The shipping costs to the states is less than 5 Euros, and the VAT is eliminated, thereby reducing the total costs to less than 47 Euros (w/shipping).

Jeanne Dielmann... and Celine and Julie on DVD with English subtitles in less than a year! What amazing times we are living, DVD-wise.

Is it imprudent to take out an equity line of credit against your home to purchase more DVDs?

I've been very curious about Jeanne Dielmann for a long time after learning that it's a favorite of one of my favorite directors. The director is Todd Haynes. He has a very excellent taste in film.

Michael wrote:I've been very curious about Jeanne Dielmann for a long time after learning that it's a favorite of one of my favorite directors. The director is Todd Haynes. He has a very excellent taste in film.

In my opinion, Jeanne Dielmann's influence is pretty strong in Safe.

Anybody get the Belgian set yet and can confirm the image quality?

My Belgian set arrived today and I am very happy indeed. It is a port of the Carlotta set but with English and Dutch subtitles - exactly as described. All supplements are subbed. As for the pic quality, it's very strong. Certainly not up to MK2/Criterion standards but having flicked through 'Jeanne Dielman...' (which I saw on cinema about a month) ago I was pretty impressed. Overall, first impression, I'd give the pic 7/10.

Globally, though, this is a must own.

Don Lope de Aguirre wrote:My Belgian set arrived today and I am very happy indeed. It is a port of the Carlotta set but with English and Dutch subtitles - exactly as described. All supplements are subbed. As for the pic quality, it's very strong. Certainly not up to MK2/Criterion standards but having flicked through 'Jeanne Dielman...' (which I saw on cinema about a month) ago I was pretty impressed. Overall, first impression, I'd give the pic 7/10.

Globally, though, this is a must own.

Fabulous news! As soon as I'm all moved in at my new place, this is priority number one! This set includes *four* films from the top twenty of my Lists Project 1970s list!

I don't suppose you've seen the Carlotta set? How does the picture quality compare?

I was about to buy the Carlotta when I heard of this one... but it must be identical to the Carlotta. Their logo (and rather long intro) appears at the beginning of all the DVDs on this set.

This set includes *four* films from the top twenty of my Lists Project 1970s list!

Let's not forget the phenomenal extras:

1. Cinéma, de notre temps (extract) 17 mins
2. Autour de Jeanne Dielman 78 minutes
3. Saute ma Ville 13 mins (film in surprisingly good looking condition too)
4. La Chambre 11 mins
5. Babette Mangolte Interview 32 mins
6. Natalia Akerman interview 27 mins
7. Aurore Clement Interview 18 mins

A truly comprehensive set! We have been very, very spoiled indeed!

Wow! Shorts and all! How terrific! Glancing at IMDb I see three 70s items that aren't included here, but I don't know a thing about them. Quite a comprehensive set!

I must be the biggest idiot in the world for not canceling the Carlotta Jeanne Dielman simply because I want to force myself practice French.

Who has the R1 rights to these?

New Yorker has the rights to Jeanne Dielman, but I don't think any of the others have a distributor (they were originally released theatrically and on video by companies that no longer exist). It is extremely unlikely that there will be a DVD version in any other region that looks and sounds better than the Belgian/French releases.

Can someone please tell me how to order this item (I reside in USA)? I have not had luck ordering it directly from Mediadis. They keep telling me my credit card is not going through, and I have confirmed with my bank that nothing is wrong with it. If you know of another source, I will appreciate you posing it. Thank you.

Thanks, Davidhare. I had already written to Tony, but he does not seem optimistic that he can obtain it. It is not handled by his usual distributors. He has promised to keep trying.

I am in Canada and had no problem using the credit card. Anybody else in Canada receiving this without trouble?

Hmmm ... I had no trouble ordering from the US. Used a MasterCard. Peculiar.

I used MasterCard as well. Maybe it is something to do with other credit cards instead of location.

I used a MC as well and had no problem-my order shipped on the 25th.

kekid wrote:Can someone please tell me how to order this item (I reside in USA)? I have not had luck ordering it directly from Mediadis. They keep telling me my credit card is not going through, and I have confirmed with my bank that nothing is wrong with it. If you know of another source, I will appreciate you posing it. Thank you.

I had the same problem and it was my bank stopping it from going through. They actually froze my account for any other purchases as well, due to it being a place "known for theft". They let it go through after I talked to them. I have a Visa Check card with Wells Fargo if that helps.

I got a call from my credit card company immediately after placing this, I had to confirm the order b/c it was overseas and I guess they suspected fraud or something. After I confirmed it, it went through fine.

I live in Chicago, and placed an order via Mastercard on May 12th then received a shipping confirmation on May 25th.

I placed an order with my Visa card and also had no problems.

I've tried three different cards multiple times and on each occasion Mediadis eventually cancels the order, claiming my card companies refused the transaction. Yet when I check with the three companies, they all tell me that the charges were approved and there was no problem.
It's very frustrating because it appears that Mediadis is the exclusive retailer for the edition of the Chantal Akerman set with English subtitles, so if they won't fill an order there is no way to obtain the set.
If anyone knows of another source for this set, that would be very helpful.
Thank you.