MoC Forthcoming, Wishlist, and Random Speculation

[akaten]

The cost and effort it would take to do this however --- considering these are not bestsellers --- would take us away from working on great films by Mizoguchi, Dreyer, Antonioni and others which have not been released on DVD in the UK at all.

Aha! Or have I missed something?

Hehe, a slip of the keys?

Anyways I reckon MOC could always say we'll have one reissue* from the Eureka catalogue a year, that way the majority of release are new, besides I think most people will want to upgrade. BTW I was wondering the final Mabuse film, who has the rights, what about a Mabuse box set?

*incidentally I'd say the same about overlaps, perhaps if Silence does well, another film by Masahiro Shinoda, even if it were Double Suicide (or maybe Pale Flower) with copious notes to help us dummies *raises hand* make greater sense of it all.

[Tommaso]

BTW I was wondering the final Mabuse film, who has the rights, what about a Mabuse box set?

I assume the rights for the final Lang-Mabuse film are with the German company who produced it, probably the same who financed "Tiger of Eschnapur/The Indian Tomb", so I guess this should be easy to locate. But really, much as I love Lang, this is certainly not something of foremost importance to include into the MoC collection. The film has almost nothing to do with the early Mabuse films. It rather is a half-hearted attempt at cashing in on that old topic, and bringing it 'up to date' by making it similar to the so-called "Edgar Wallace" films that were coming up at the time. And pretty shallow they were, as were the various Mabuse films that came directly after "The 1000 Eyes" and which were not directed by Lang, of course. There are some good scenes in Lang's film, no doubt, but I never stopped to wonder why Lang's art was so much on the decline once he returned to Germany. I guess I even like the Indian films better, from a 'trash' point-of-view, and because of their over-the-top character. But even these would probably have been forgotten if they hadn't been made by Lang. So much for auteurism...

[zedz]

The film has almost nothing to do with the early Mabuse films. It rather is a half-hearted attempt at cashing in on that old topic, and bringing it 'up to date' by making it similar to the so-called "Edgar Wallace" films that were coming up at the time. And pretty shallow they were, as were the various Mabuse films that came directly after "The 1000 Eyes" and which were not directed by Lang, of course. There are some good scenes in Lang's film, no doubt, but I never stopped to wonder why Lang's art was so much on the decline once he returned to Germany. I guess I even like the Indian films better, from a 'trash' point-of-view, and because of their over-the-top character. But even these would probably have been forgotten if they hadn't been made by Lang. So much for auteurism...

Ulp. You're sure to draw down the wrath of several regulars on this matter.

For the record, I completely agree with you about those late Langs, but if anyone asks, you don't know me, OK?

[domino harvey]

Should I lay into this guy now, or wait for others to do my dirty work

[Greathinker]

At risk of sounding like a broken record, where does Tarkovsky stand on the horizon? Does AE have a stranglehold on his whole oeuvre?

I had just watched The Sacrifice for the first time, and jiminy cricket what a film, but it's obvious from the beaver captures that no transfer is correct-- so many of those indoor shots with only natural light seeping in, or a solitary lamp, are lit up in the transfer-- probably killing the director's/dp's intentions. It's a crime.

[Tommaso]

Yes, it's a shame, though it seems that the Swedish disc (which has English subs) looks much better, so there's an alternative. I fear we won't get to see any Tarkovsky from MoC, unless they can get some rights not controlled by Ruscico/AE. The only possibility I could think of would be a disc with the early short films, which would be better than nothing. Or a brand new resto of "Nostalghia", which would be almost as important as "Vampyr"....

[akaten]

BTW I was wondering the final Mabuse film, who has the rights, what about a Mabuse box set?

I assume the rights for the final Lang-Mabuse film are with the German company who produced it, probably the same who financed "Tiger of Eschnapur/The Indian Tomb", so I guess this should be easy to locate. But really, much as I love Lang, this is certainly not something of foremost importance to include into the MoC collection. The film has almost nothing to do with the early Mabuse films. It rather is a half-hearted attempt at cashing in on that old topic, and bringing it 'up to date' by making it similar to the so-called "Edgar Wallace" films that were coming up at the time. And pretty shallow they were, as were the various Mabuse films that came directly after "The 1000 Eyes" and which were not directed by Lang, of course. There are some good scenes in Lang's film, no doubt, but I never stopped to wonder why Lang's art was so much on the decline once he returned to Germany. I guess I even like the Indian films better, from a 'trash' point-of-view, and because of their over-the-top character. But even these would probably have been forgotten if they hadn't been made by Lang. So much for auteurism...

Thanks for the response (sorry for my late reply) but I tend not to always equate auteurism with positive qualities, but rather personal ones, I think all this has been covered in the Testament of Dr Mabuse thread (that Lang as 'his own worst enemy' etc). To use a Kurosawa example, in Sanjuro his obsession with ensuring the flowers looked just right is an example of his personal touch in ensuring excellent set decor, but really I consider it a case of overlooking the larger problems with the film, of course this is subjective, a case of my having different priorities when looking at the film than audiences enjoying it at the time did, or indeed Kurosawa may have had when making it...

Anyways I noticed a R1 dvd is available of 1000 Eyes and shall buy it to form my own views on it, being a Lang fan myself...heck I even felt Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Recently shown on BBC) to be of interest, though I admit to embellishing it with my own thoughts on what it could have been if only... In the opening sequence of the death row inmate put to the chair, I couldn't help think that when the switch is flicked, the light effect of the creation of the android in Metropolis could've occured, what brings live to machines ends ours. Death to the Humans!

Getting back on topic I was just suggesting a box in response to Peerpee note of having finite resources to spare, thinking naively a boxset including an unavailable film in the UK might help matters. I still very much hope for say Mabuse the Gambler in particular will be readdressed by MOC at some point, but understand and agree with wanting to see other films released first. Including those by Fritz Lang, 2008 cannot come soon enough!

[domino harvey]

the R1 1000 Eyes of Dr Mabuse is a fantastic package. The always great Kalat actually is behind the company which released the disc and his commentary involves not only the film and its production but also documents the problems he and his crew ran into on the road to restoring the film. An amazing DVD, though with Kalat's involvement that was bound to be a given.

[Tommaso]

Just read the content list of the forthcoming "Post War Kurosawa" box from Eclipse. Much as I want "No regrets" and "One wonderful Sunday", there's no reason to exchange the BFI disc of " I live in fear" without any extras for an Eclipse disc without any extras. And much less the two MoC discs with their gorgeous booklets for a barebones Eclipse. So, are there any chances MoC will pick up "No regrets" and "One wonderful Sunday" for the R2 world?

[ltfontaine]

Just read the content list of the forthcoming "Post War Kurosawa" box from Eclipse. Much as I want "No regrets" and "One wonderful Sunday", there's no reason to exchange the BFI disc of " I live in fear" without any extras for an Eclipse disc without any extras. And much less the two MoC discs with their gorgeous booklets for a barebones Eclipse. So, are there any chances MoC will pick up "No regrets" and "One wonderful Sunday" for the R2 world?

Agreed, except I would place an especially high priority on No Regrets for Our Youth, a superior film that deserves a fully loaded release. It would be great if MoC would provide a suitable alternative to the scantily clad Eclipse version.

One Wonderful Sunday is overly sentimental, especially its gooey conclusion, but it does contain scenes that provide a compelling picture of Japan in the wake of the war. As an embodiment of desolation and deprivation in postwar Japan, however, it pales in comparison to Ozu's Record of a Tenement Gentleman, released the same year.

[Michael Kerpan]

I hope that someday MOC will be in a position to tackle some of the masterpieces of ignored Japanese masters -- like Shimizu, Uchida and Imai (maybe even Gosho). And to bring us some of Kon Ichikawa's (and Natto Wada's) brilliant black comedies.

So much great classic Japanese cinema is inaccessible to those who can't cope with unsubbed Japanese. ;~{

[Tommaso]

Agreed on both films, but considering MoC put out "Scandal", another clearly minor (but mostly good) film which also suffers from a somewhat unconvincing end, I cannot see any serious objection to "One wonderful Sunday" on their part either.

[ltfontaine]

Agreed on both films, but considering MoC put out "Scandal", another clearly minor (but mostly good) film which also suffers from a somewhat unconvincing end, I cannot see any serious objection to "One wonderful Sunday" on their part either.

OK, Tommaso, but only if they put out No Regrets first!

I hope that someday MOC will be in a position to tackle some of the masterpieces of ignored Japanese masters -- like Shimizu, Uchida and Imai (maybe even Gosho). And to bring us some of Kon Ichikawa's (and Natto Wada's) brilliant black comedies.

Absolutely, and I'd add Toyoda, among others, to that list. A good subtitled, official release of Gosho's Where Chimneys Are Seen, for instance, would be a gift. Legitimate subtitled releases of some of Masumura's best films are nowhere to be found, a fate they do not deserve.

So much great classic Japanese cinema is inaccessible to those who can't cope with unsubbed Japanese. ;~{

And even inaccessible to those who can (or struggle to).

[Awesome Welles]

Legitimate subtitled releases of some of Masumura's best films are nowhere to be found, a fate they do not deserve.

I don't know about best as I am not familiar with Masumura's work yet, though Yume have put out a few films.

[ltfontaine]

I don't know about best as I am not familiar with Masumura's work yet, though Yume have put out a few films.

Right, F, and of those not available in R1 from Fantoma, the Yume Tattoo is reportedly a pretty sound disc, while the quality of Kisses is not reported anywhere I can find. Yume discs are apparently a mixed lot in terms of transfer quality. The field is wide open, however, (among legitimate companies) for anyone willing to sub and release A False Student, A Wife Confesses and others. I'm sure whoever takes up the challenge will make a fortune!

[Michael Kerpan]

As to Shiro Toyoda, I've only seen "Gan" (which was quite decent) and I've heard his "Snow country" was rather disappointing (despite an excellent cast).. He seems to be one of those very good second tier directors (like Nomura) who can turn out at least occasional masterpieces. Certainly someone I'd like to know more about.

Speaking of Nomura -- someone needs to snap up his "Harikomi" (my favorite si far).

[MichaelB]

the Yume Tattoo is reportedly a pretty sound disc

I can confirm this first-hand - it's anamorphic, framed correctly and sourced from a print in surprisingly good condition. I suspect the colours may have faded a little, but it was way ahead of expectations.

Yume discs are apparently a mixed lot in terms of transfer quality.

That's certainly true - in the same batch I received Santo in the Wax Museum, which is one of the worst NTSC-PAL conversion jobs I've ever come across. Every time the camera moves, the image pulses to the point where it's almost unwatchable. As it was a check disc, I passed on writing a proper review, but I'd be intrigued to know if the final version was that bad.

[ltfontaine]

As to Shiro Toyoda, I've only seen "Gan" (which was quite decent) and I've heard his "Snow country" was rather disappointing (despite an excellent cast).. He seems to be one of those very good second tier directors (like Nomura) who can turn out at least occasional masterpieces. Certainly someone I'd like to know more about.

Snow Country is an interesting film, not least because of its strong stylistic resemblance to a glossy Hollywood “woman's pictureâ€

[ltfontaine]

I can confirm this first-hand - it's anamorphic, framed correctly and sourced from a print in surprisingly good condition. I suspect the colours may have faded a little, but it was way ahead of expectations.

How is the film, Michael? Did you get a look at their Kisses disc?

[Michael Kerpan]

Well -- I'd love to see Toyoda's "Snow Country" -- whatever it's like. And I'd also like to see Oba's 1965 version as well -- as it has a fine cast and a great cinematographer.

BTW -- I'm guessing that Oba was yet another superb (sadly neglected in the West) top of the second-tier craftsman, based on what little I've seen by him.

[Steven H]

I enjoyed Snow Country, but I prefer Gan as well, but another great 50s Toyoda is Marital Relations, which has a gorgeous transfer on DVD in Japan (and won all kinds of awards). These are excellent, stylish dramas that could surely win over a modern audience (similar to Naruse in this way, though slightly less dark.)

I was introduced to Toyoda through The Japanese Film: Art and Industry like a lot of people, and Richie's discussion of him has me really wanting to see Sweet Sweat (1964) and A Cat, Two Women, and One Man (1956), and definitely his early film Young People (1937). Gan or Marital Relations would make for a great MoC disc though some could make the case that there are many other overlooked directors that deserve exposure before Toyoda.

[Awesome Welles]

though some could make the case that there are many other overlooked directors that deserve exposure before Toyoda.

Given the amount of praise Tomu Uchida receives on this forum as well as in print I'd guess that he was a candidate?

[Steven H]

though some could make the case that there are many other overlooked directors that deserve exposure before Toyoda.

Given the amount of praise Tomu Uchida receives on this forum as well as in print I'd guess that he was a candidate?

I can think of a bunch, but I would probably put Uchida ahead of Toyoda by a thin margin. To me, the big ones are Hani, Yoshida and Shimizu who have been unjustly brushed aside by film history and the DVD world, with a lot of other folks fast on their trail (Uchida, Imai, Ogawa, Jissoji, Wakamatsu, Toyoda, etc etc). There's so much great Japanese stuff to show the world, even among the more well known directors.

[ltfontaine]

It's worth noting that MoC has done more to advance the cause of Japanese film on DVD for English-speaking consumers than any other Western label, especially with reference to the work of lesser known artists. I don't know if Japanese movies will continue to account for almost half of their titles, but I hope so--as long as it doesn't impede the release of Vampyr.

[Tommaso]

I don't know if Japanese movies will continue to account for almost half of their titles, but I hope so--as long as it doesn't impede the release of Vampyr.

Me too! It seems there is so much to explore, especially if it comes to Japanese movies made before 1950. But apparently many of them are in bad condition due to bad storage or mutilation both by the Japanese censors and (later) by the American censors during the occupation. Still, what would I give for a watchable disc of "A Page of Madness"...
But let's not complain, the forthcoming Mizoguchis will probably be among MoCs most important releases (at least for the English speaking world), and I hope that "Vampyr" will follow soon after, i.e. if they don't get into trouble because of that strange forthcoming "Vampyr"-release by Nettwork. Really something that continues to worry me...