MoC Forthcoming, Wishlist, and Random Speculation

[HerrSchreck]

I think the opportunity to work with living filmmakers that you admire probably trumps many other considerations, including the availability of the film in other regions. .

I hate to do the Jurieu multiple-quote, call and answer thing, but this just necessary in this case (the use of boldface is incredible!).

First off-- did you note the name of this thread? Did you note the lineup that this thread is discussing. Plus Lang and Murnau? Welles? We're discussing a lineup of dead filmmakers noted specifically as coming soon in the MoC catalog, which is also, primarily, chock fulla dead filmmakers.

What's more, HerrSchreck, there's also the bottom line to worry about -- if you can produce a good edition of a popular but great film riding on the hard work of a restoration team, it would be ridiculous not to take the opportunity, even if it means postponing an unrestored, overlooked classic. MoC has the same basic considerations as Criterion but with I'd imagine a narrower margin to operate under. .

At least I now know there's a bottom line to worry about in a profit related enterprise.

(Somewhat) seriously: MoC doesn't really ever do "restorations" (they primarily acquire digibetas), nor would I expect them to release unrestored classics, as you'll note in my example I called attention to previously unreleased films that have been restored: DER MUDE TOD, VARIETE, von Gerlachs GRIESHUS, Gremillion's MALDONE... no reels, darkrooms, scissors, glue, or chemical pans neccessary. My freindly request is for MoC to do in their silent line what they regularly do in their sound film line, so I don't understand your paragraph below whatsoever. You're constructing an argument against their own regular practice.

Please don't cop an emphatic style prior to checking your reading comprehension.

I imagine the considerations include politics (staying on the good side of important/influential people that may have an agenda when working with you, such as Michael Bay or Martin Scorsese), bottom-line (popular films pay for unpopular ones, or to put it another way, Armageddon and the like pays for all of the Paul Robesons, Vagabonds, etc.), opportunity to work with living sources (how old is Kaneto Shindo?), opportunity to ride a wave of resurgence in popularity (e.g., a Rialto release or an anniversary), etc., etc. What is available in other regions is nothing more than a single factor, and it's not in any way obviously more important than some of the other factors, as far as I'm concerned.

It's a wonderful thing you boldfaced all those words, as I conked my head on the floor when falling off my chair and my vision got blurry not to far in.

Nick-- don't take this sarcasm as directed into our discussion. My earlier posts to you were just friendly pieces of yearning from an appreciative customer, and even if your line stays precisely the way it is, I'll be pleased. Dreamers can always dream.

[peerpee]

MoC doesn't really ever do "restorations" (they primarily acquire digibetas)

Not true.

The money that Eureka stumps up for rights well in advance often directly helps to fund a restoration, or pay for a new telecine. The number of films in the MoC Series in this category is well into double figures.

We are currently involved with a number of restorations, and when licencing titles are actively persuading large companies to make new telecines of these films.

This is why purchasing DVDs directly helps to keep films alive, not only digitally, and in the public conscience, but by rekindling interest in the neglected celluloid itself.

[HerrSchreck]

We are currently involved with a number of restorations, and when licencing titles are actively persuading large companies to make new telecines of these films.

This is why purchasing DVDs directly helps to keep films alive, not only digitally, and in the public conscience, but by rekindling interest in the neglected celluloid itself.

All the better for my wish for you guys to ressurrect lost classics. My impression has been that the majority of your existing catalog is from treatment of existing digibetas from telecine conducted elsewhere, but if this is in error-- or will increasingly be with upcoming releases-- I stand joyfully corrected as it bodes for even more exciting releases, and MoC exclusive restos. Bravo.

[BrightEyes23]

This is why purchasing DVDs directly helps to keep films alive, not only digitally, and in the public conscience, but by rekindling interest in the neglected celluloid itself.

way to get a punch in towards that other thread

just reading this discussion, i find it fascinating. Running a label and putting out dvd's of the films and filmmakers I love is something I would love to do some day, and I can only imagine the tough decisions that go into each and every release. And I thank Peerpee for making those tough decisions, even if I would like them to release more unavailable titles of Japanese filmmakers

I just consider myself lucky enough to be living during a period of time where we have labels releasing major and less known masterpieces (Criterion, MoC), little gems from specific countries (NoShame, CasaNagra), and a hodgepog of great somewhat obscure but no less importnat films (Second Run). Not to mention BFI whom I've purchased many titles, and would purchase many more if I wasn't pretty sure Criterion was going to be releasing them eventually (woman on the dunes, army of shadows). For someone interested in cinema, there is absolutely no shortage of great discs released every month (and its hard to keep up with them! thank goodness for ddd's 20% sale twice a year!), so many releases it seems a little silly to be complaining about Peerpee releasing titles that are available in Region 1-land already.

[Scharphedin2]

Contracts are signed, but we're not going to be announcing titles until the DVDs are practically finished. Our new policy for 2007. So expect some announcements in a few months. Thanks!

If indeed the Visconti announcement is in reference to Senso (or even Sandra), then I should like to send you a bottle of whiskey. Naturally, I do not expect you to make any announcement, but you could send me a pm with an address whereto this token of appreciation may be forwarded (if, of course, one of these is the upcoming Visconti title).

As always, thanks for many great film experiences in the past two years courtesy of Masters of Cinema.

[lazier than a toad]

I am not too sure when this was posted (over on the Kino thread), but no one seems to have commented on it yet.

It's looking like DIE PUPPE will be added to the forthcoming MoC LUBITSCH box. Fingers crossed.

Any thoughts?

[skuhn8]

thoughts?
Hallelujah for one.
Not much to say as it came from the "horse's mouth" other than thanks and looking forward to it.

[HerrSchreck]

I am not too sure when this was posted (over on the Kino thread), but no one seems to have commented on it yet.

It's looking like DIE PUPPE will be added to the forthcoming MoC LUBITSCH box. Fingers crossed.

Any thoughts?

I commented, and said that I hope if this is the same film-set in the Kino/Transit box, that that they make DIE PUPPE available separately from the box; I think many fans will have already grabbed one of these two sets, and will dive at the opportunity for an MOC PUPPE (been aching for this film for ages).

[peerpee]

It wouldn't make sense for us to release a 6-disc Early Lubitsch MoC boxset *without* DIE PUPPE, and then to release DIE PUPPE separately (it's only an hour). I'm afraid, we'll be releasing DIE PUPPE in the boxset, and I don't believe that every household has the Kino discs or Transit set, so we'll be concentrating on putting out a nice box set instead of diluting it and spreading the releases about.

[denti alligator]

It wouldn't make sense for us to release a 6-disc Early Lubitsch MoC boxset *without* DIE PUPPE, and then to release DIE PUPPE separately (it's only an hour). I'm afraid, we'll be releasing DIE PUPPE in the boxset, and I don't believe that every household has the Kino discs or Transit set, so we'll be concentrating on putting out a nice box set instead of diluting it and spreading the releases about.

I knew I shouldn't have invested in that Transit box! Damn!
Peerpee, is this scheduled for the end of 07?

[What A Disgrace]

I don't suppose this already essential MoC box will contain The Marriage Circle?

[skuhn8]

It wouldn't make sense for us to release a 6-disc Early Lubitsch MoC boxset *without* DIE PUPPE, and then to release DIE PUPPE separately (it's only an hour). I'm afraid, we'll be releasing DIE PUPPE in the boxset, and I don't believe that every household has the Kino discs or Transit set, so we'll be concentrating on putting out a nice box set instead of diluting it and spreading the releases about.

6-disc? One box: sold right here.
So glad I said 'no' to Kino.
But I think MonsieurSchreck was hoping that you'd release Puppe in da box and alone (ala CC Montreal Pop).

[HerrSchreck]

That's exactly what I meant skuhn (come on Nick I didn't say every household); in recognition of your global audience (a la your comment about NANA not coming out because of the Renoir R1 box it's included in), make this single disc available separately... not break up the whole box. Just this, so that you can maximize sales on it. Trust me, it's good business for global buyers like me & Tommasso who snapped the R1 or Transit up already. Although I'm sure PUPPE is coming out elsewhere since the master is made. But I wont double dip for all those films. No way.

[Tommaso]

Why not consider doing TWO Lubitsch boxes, the one containing the stuff already available, and the second finally giving us all those other great films from that period. I recently watched that excellent 2 hour documentary on the Transit box, and the excerpts from the other films of that era shown there really watered my mouth: "Carmen" (which seems strikingly erotic), "Die Puppe", "Kohlhiesels Töchter", "Mme Dubarry", "Die Augen der Mumie Ma" (only available in a horrible dvd from Alpha), and that monumental super-production "Das Weib des Pharao". These latter films would all represent a totally unknown side of Lubitsch, but from what I could see from those few snippets, they seem to be clearly on a par with similar films by Lang from that era.

[Scharphedin2]

Why not consider doing TWO Lubitsch boxes, the one containing the stuff already available, and the second finally giving us all those other great films from that period.

This suggestion is excellent. I also picked up the titles from Kino, and would be placed in a dilemma, if a new set came out from MoC with the same films + a couple of extra titles. On the other hand, I can understand that MoC cannot take into consideration the purcase patterns of a few international fans. And, would we have waited for more than a year with purchasing these titles, even if we knew that MoC had something in the works? Realistically, it could very easily end up being well into 2008 before this new set sees the light of day.

[Tommaso]

And, would we have waited for more than a year with purchasing these titles, even if we knew that MoC had something in the works? .

Probably not, at least not if you don't need English subs, considering the cheapo price (40 Euros) of the Transit box. Although that Lubitsch box garners a lot of praise here in Germany, I have no idea how the sales actually are. But in general Transit is so incredibly slow in releasing things, and even if their box sold really well it would take years before they finally came up with a second set. That's why everyone here hopes so much for something unavailable coming from MoC. Of course Kino might do more Lubitsch, they're generally much quicker with German silents than Transit or MoC, but hey, we have already discussed the problems with Kino's releases endlessly. Which reminds me: any chance of MoC doing "Warning Shadows"?

[Subbuteo]

Come on guys give it some slack, this box set is superb news... all you can gripe about is what should be in it, whilst grovelling for 2 box sets just so you don't have to double dip. Well tough.

Can't wait to get my all encompassing MoC Lubitsch box set with wonderful art work and informative booklet

[Tommaso]

Come on guys give it some slack, this box set is superb news... all you can gripe about is what should be in it, whilst grovelling for 2 box sets just so you don't have to double dip. Well tough.

Agreed, we're selfish . But then, there's already talk about a possible second Naruse box, for instance, so I can't see why Lubitsch shouldn't deserve two box sets as well. Allow for some dreaming.... after all this is just the opinion of some 'fans' (of both Lubitsch and MoC) that Nick has no reason to listen to if he has already made his decisions.

[HerrSchreck]

Come on guys give it some slack, this box set is superb news... all you can gripe about is what should be in it, whilst grovelling for 2 box sets just so you don't have to double dip. Well tough.

Can't wait to get my all encompassing MoC Lubitsch box set with wonderful art work and informative booklet

Wtf? What in gods name is the forum for, cheerleading? You think Wrigley is on here trying out artwork, testing the waters for ideas & release parameters simply to be stroked? Bitching without offering intelligent input is one thing, but trying to stomp a convo because it doesn't offer a melody to your own purchasing instincts is cheeky, sub.

Dvd discussion forums are forums for dvd discussions, no?

[Subbuteo]

but trying to stomp a convo because it doesn't offer a melody to your own purchasing instincts is cheeky, sub.

Just prodding you Shrecky, a bit of fun on my part. Bit disappointed in the relaxed, controlled vitriol was expecting much more bile.

Come on admit it - life without Die Puppe would be unbearable, you'll double dip

[HerrSchreck]

If in a totally duplicating box I'll wait for another label. Kino & Transit have already teased us with the probability that it'll come out.

[Steven H]

I'm for including Die Puppe. I just watched a really awful looking italian intertitled version of it the other day, and still loved every minute. I didn't buy the transit set, so for me it's the icing on the Lubitsch cake. But man, Nick, with all the hair you lost over the Keaton/Naruse/Shoah sets, you're really sticking it to yourself doing Lubitsch/Naruse/Mizo/Mizo/God Knows What Else this year. Hats off.

[Sander2]

I would like to see more films from Kaneto Shindô. He's a great director, and besides The Naked Island, Onibaba and Kuroneko, his films are almost completely unknown. MoC releases of Fritz Lang's Der Müde Tod and Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler (300 minutes version) would also be terrific!

[Cinephrenic]

I agree, I think Eclipse should tackle him soon.

[Cinetwist]

I want me some Franju flicks.

Anything's cool though. Can't wait for the Melville.