888 Stalker

[beamish13]

Roadside Picnic being re-adapted from the writer of Transcendence

[Minkin]

Tarkovsky's Stalker has been confirmed to be with Criterion by both Mosfilm and is also streaming with Criterion/Janus logo on Filmstruck.

Might this give any hope for Kino's other Tarkovsky titles - Nostalghia, The Sacrifice, and The Mirror? Between this and Dersu Uzala, it seems like Criterion might have a new deal with Mosfilm.

[sir_luke]

it seems like Criterion might have a new deal with Mosfilm.

Which reinvigorates my hope, however foolish, of a Criterion release of Bondarchuk's War and Peace.

[jwd5275]

Might this give any hope for Kino's other Tarkovsky titles - Nostalghia, The Sacrifice, and The Mirror? Between this and Dersu Uzala, it seems like Criterion might have a new deal with Mosfilm.

Good chances for The Mirror, but weren't the other two with other production companies with The Sacrifice after his exile?

[AfterTheRain]

it seems like Criterion might have a new deal with Mosfilm.

Which reinvigorates my hope, however foolish, of a Criterion release of Bondarchuk's War and Peace.

Also, my hopes for Bondarchuk's Waterloo.

[domino harvey]

As if we needed more confirmation, Mister Lime confirmed Stalker is with Criterion

[criterion10]

Incredible news. Stalker is easily my favorite Tarkovsky.

I wonder if there's a chance they have The Mirror as well. (I'm assuming Nostalghia and The Sacrifice will remain with Kino indefinitely.)

[peerpee]

Wonderful news! Bodes really well for a definitive RUBLEV set (the two wildly different cuts) and MIRROR.

[Drucker]

Well I was totally wrong about the rights of these Tarkovskys, and I'm happy about that. Could Criterion be doing what BFI/MOC seemed to be doing, with licensing the same films but different restorations? If so, couldn't that put every Kino Tarkovsky in play?

[peerpee]

It's puts every *Russian* Tarkovsky KINO in play (so just STALKER and MIRROR)

But what it also does, is possibly free up Klimov's COME & SEE.

A Criterion COME & SEE Blu-ray is what we need.

[knives]

Also his Agony and Farewell which in the former case is more exciting for me.

[ianungstad]

Well Criterion uploaded all those phantom pages for Russian directors earlier this year which lead to speculation at the time that they may have acquired the rights to War and Peace and Come & See. Even if at the time such ideas were dismissed due to films being with Kino; it seems to have been a harbinger of things to come.

[jwd5275]

The Steamroller and the Violin is likely with Criterion too. Far more interesting is that I am Cuba is no longer listed on the Milestone website. If it's not still with Milestone, Criterion probably picked it up.

[Yakushima]

These screenshots from Criterion's version of Stalker streaming on Filmstruck were posted on a Russian film discussion board at http://www.vobzor.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; few days ago.
They are low-res screengrabs from ipad, still they look infinitely superior to any of the previous releases on home video. High hopes for the eventual CC Blu-Ray!

[aox]

This is a dream come true for me.

But what it also does, is possibly free up Klimov's COME & SEE.

A Criterion COME & SEE Blu-ray is what we need.

WOW. That would be incredible.

[Moe Dickstein]

If you really want Nostalghia on Criterion, there's always the laserdisc...

[Yakushima]

While we are waiting for Criterion's "Stalker" here is a wonderful new book I would like to recommend: "Costumes for the Films of Andrei Tarkovsky" by Nelli Fomina (Cygnnet, 2015). It is bilingual (Russian/English) volume, beautifully illustrated and containing many invaluable accounts by Andrey Tarkovsky associates Nelli Fomina and Sergei Naugolnykh, in particular about filming process of "Stalker". I found out about this book by a lucky chance on Nostalgia.com

Here is synopsis from Cignnet's page:

"Published for the first time in a single volume are the sketches and photographs from the archive of Nelli Fomina, who designed the costumes for the films of Andrei Tarkovsky and was the director’s friend and ‘right-hand woman’ for many years. She contributed to the creation of films which were to become classics of world cinema: Solaris, The Mirror and Stalker. Her reminiscences contain many previously unknown details regarding the creation of these films. This book is not just a masterclass of how to use costume for the projection of the unique characters in those pictures, but also a ‘photograph album’. A large part of the book consists of photographs taken by Nelli Fomina on sets used for Stalker, which are reprinted here exclusively. Another important part of this volume brings the reader the reminiscences of Sergei Naugolnykh, who worked as the assistant camera man on Stalker. He shares with the reader his observations about how complex production issues were resolved on set."

https://vimeo.com/132008059" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[solaris72]

Posted to reddit today. If legit it confirms what was already suspected around here.

[bradass]

That email says that rights were licensed to UK and AU territories as well. Is it likely that Artificial Eye wanted to get out editions before their rights expire, not using the recent restorations?

[FrauBlucher]

Does that mean a redo for Solaris and Ivan's Childhood?

[jedgeco]

Is it likely that Artificial Eye wanted to get out editions before their rights expire, not using the recent restorations?

Hopefully, because the alternative explanation is that the Jon Mulvaney of Mosfilm is wrong/misunderstood.

[dda1996a]

SpoilerShow

While we are waiting for Criterion's "Stalker" here is a wonderful new book I would like to recommend: "Costumes for the Films of Andrei Tarkovsky" by Nelli Fomina (Cygnnet, 2015). It is bilingual (Russian/English) volume, beautifully illustrated and containing many invaluable accounts by Andrey Tarkovsky associates Nelli Fomina and Sergei Naugolnykh, in particular about filming process of "Stalker". I found out about this book by a lucky chance on Nostalgia.com

Here is synopsis from Cignnet's page:

"Published for the first time in a single volume are the sketches and photographs from the archive of Nelli Fomina, who designed the costumes for the films of Andrei Tarkovsky and was the director’s friend and ‘right-hand woman’ for many years. She contributed to the creation of films which were to become classics of world cinema: Solaris, The Mirror and Stalker. Her reminiscences contain many previously unknown details regarding the creation of these films. This book is not just a masterclass of how to use costume for the projection of the unique characters in those pictures, but also a ‘photograph album’. A large part of the book consists of photographs taken by Nelli Fomina on sets used for Stalker, which are reprinted here exclusively. Another important part of this volume brings the reader the reminiscences of Sergei Naugolnykh, who worked as the assistant camera man on Stalker. He shares with the reader his observations about how complex production issues were resolved on set."

https://vimeo.com/132008059" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SpoilerShow

Where can I buy this book?
And I sure do hope so Criterion goes ahead with new releases for restored and actually good looking transfers

[jsteffe]

Wonderful news! Bodes really well for a definitive RUBLEV set (the two wildly different cuts) and MIRROR.

Yes! I really hope that Criterion investigates the question of black-and-white versus sepia footage in THE MIRROR.

[Wittsdream]

The Steamroller and the Violin is likely with Criterion too. Far more interesting is that I am Cuba is no longer listed on the Milestone website. If it's not still with Milestone, Criterion probably picked it up.

This would make sense since Criterion previously released I am Cuba on laserdisc, exactly 20 years ago, "jointly presented by Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola" in a handsome 2-disc edition, with a Hoberman essay inside the gate-fold jacket.

[Yakushima]

Re: dda1996a
The book "Costumes for the Films of Andrei Tarkovsky" is sold on Amazon through Marketplace sellers (both US and UK). I can see a couple of offers there right now. I would not wait too long though, the prices have already gone up since I bought mine. You may also check the publisher's website. Good luck!