Criterion Random Speculation Vol.4

[cysiam]

Hi there,

We do plan to release more Mizoguchi films in the not-too-distant future. Please keep checking back at our website. I hope this helps, and thanks for your email!

Sincerely,

Tamara

[domino harvey]

I like the Vivre sa vie poster.

[Awesome Welles]

In the review of the last film released by MoC of Mizoguchi in Dvdbeaver, they say that they are going to release more Mizoguchi, It seems Criterion is losing the battle in the Mizoguchi area, and they havent announced anything from Mizoguchi and I am losing my patience, I hope the next eclipse after the Rosellini is going to be a Mizoguchi set or even in the main line, the last thing seems virtually imposible at this state.

I would prefer they concentrated on something else rather than duplicate films that are already out in sublime editions. Lord knows there is plenty of Japan left to be discovered.

That said I was wondering recently does Janus own the rights to The Rickshaw Man? I saw a clip of it recently on Nagisa Oshima's 100 Years of Japanese Cinema and I thought it looked pretty interesting.

Though I'd take anything from the 60s/70s over The Rickshaw Man at the moment.

[Gigi M.]

Hi there,

We do plan to release more Mizoguchi films in the not-too-distant future. Please keep checking back at our website. I hope this helps, and thanks for your email!

Sincerely,

Tamara

I just place an order for the 8 MoC releases + Artificial Eye Life of Oharu, but no plans on canceling. Support MoC also.

[domino harvey]

I keep holding off on those MOC titles but if Criterion doesn't announce something soon I won't be able to help myself.

[justeleblanc]

I keep holding off on those MOC titles but if Criterion doesn't announce something soon I won't be able to help myself.

My guess is these will be via Eclipse by the end of the year.

[Hopscotch]

I don't think the Eustache answer means anything. I know The Mother and the Whore screened a couple times around the country these past few months. Where were those prints coming from? I thought it was basically confirmed that that (mind blowing) film was never going to see a DVD release ever -- excepting the existing terribly expensive Japanese one.

[mikeohhh]

I don't think the Eustache answer means anything. I know The Mother and the Whore screened a couple times around the country these past few months. Where were those prints coming from? I thought it was basically confirmed that that (mind blowing) film was never going to see a DVD release ever -- excepting the existing terribly expensive Japanese one that is.

nah, trust us, we've got Criterion companyspeak down perfectly. Pseudo-kinda-confirmation on two directors whose major works are controlled by the same company (one who has thus far never directly licensed to Criterion but at the same time one whose DVD production has dwindled in the past few years.... and the scant few new releases of older movies have largely been joint ventures with Milestone or Project X) makes me believe that a Criterion-New Yorker handshake has been made. Of course, this IS the thread called "random speculation," so I could be wrong.

[tojoed]

Has anyone specifically asked Tamara about whether Criterion would release Malle's Vanya on 42nd?

I have a feeling it'll be awhile before we get any more Malle, since we just got Fire Within and The Lovers. I'd rather see Black Moon get dvd treatment anyway.

Black Moon is a Studio Canal film, which is currently in the second Louis Malle box from Optimum in the UK. If there is to be a Region 1 release it will almost certainly be from Lionsgate.

[justeleblanc]

They've made this handshake before with the Malle/Ozu titles, right?

Though it's possible that instead of coming from New Yorker, the Eustache and Rivette could be coming from Les Films de Losange.

[justeleblanc]

Black Moon is a Studio Canal film, which is currently in the second Louis Malle box from Optimum in the UK. If there is to be a Region 1 release it will almost certainly be from Lionsgate.

Except that this has been confirmed to be a Janus property, not simply a Studio Canal license. The remaining Janus/Malle films in the pipeline at Criterion are:

Zazie
Black Moon
My Dinner with Andre
May Fools

[stalker_ozu]

I would prefer they concentrated on something else rather than duplicate films that are already out in sublime editions.

Please, not this argument again. There are lots of people who want to see Mizoguchi films who are unwilling or unable to go region free and/or put themselves into debt buying UK DVDs thanks to a terminally weak dollar. For example, I buy DVDs for a library and I cannot justify spending $30-$40 on a DVD that only a few patrons will be able to take home and watch.

Granted, we all want what hasn't yet been released and we want it now, but can we not also want everyone everywhere to be able to watch what is released?

In my personal position I cannot buy in Amazon.co.uk because I dont own a credit card, I buy everything in a local store who only imports what Criterion Releases,so thats why I am particularly frustrated that Criterion hasnt released anything more from Mizoguchi or Naruse, I dont care if they duplicate because I cant buy the MoC, I think that many people have a similar position. I hope they release more japanese cinema like Osaka Elegy but Also I hope they release Streets of Shame or Floating Clouds.

[tojoed]

Black Moon is a Studio Canal film, which is currently in the second Louis Malle box from Optimum in the UK. If there is to be a Region 1 release it will almost certainly be from Lionsgate.

Except that this has been confirmed to be a Janus property, not simply a Studio Canal license. The remaining Janus/Malle films in the pipeline at Criterion are:

Zazie
Black Moon
My Dinner with Andre
May Fools

Glad to hear it. I just assumed with the Studio Canal/Lionsgate agreement that they would get them. Happy to be wrong.

[Gigi M.]

I would prefer they concentrated on something else rather than duplicate films that are already out in sublime editions.

Please, not this argument again. There are lots of people who want to see Mizoguchi films who are unwilling or unable to go region free and/or put themselves into debt buying UK DVDs thanks to a terminally weak dollar. For example, I buy DVDs for a library and I cannot justify spending $30-$40 on a DVD that only a few patrons will be able to take home and watch.

Granted, we all want what hasn't yet been released and we want it now, but can we not also want everyone everywhere to be able to watch what is released?

MoC's Mizos are 40% off as we speak, less than US $25 shipped. And even though I already own Criterion's Ugetsu and Sansho, I really want these discs.

Some of us are really tired of waiting for Criterion for ever.

[Awesome Welles]

I understand your problem and do sympathize, and I hope for your sake they do release Floating Clouds, it's sublime, easily the best Naruse I have seen so far.

[kaujot]

Can we place a moratorium on the word "sublime"?

[domino harvey]

No.

[HerrSchreck]

Can we word a place on moratorium?

[stalker_ozu]

Imagine they release a massive boxset in the main line, like the Cassavetes boxset containing SISTERS OF GION, STORY OF THE LAST CHRYSANTHEMUMS, STREET OF SHAME , THE LIFE OF OHARU, UTAMARO AND HIS FIVE WOMEN from Kenji Mizoguchi. It could be easily considered the best release in the history of Criterion. I am sure many would buy it no matter how expensive it could be.

[Cinephrenic]

"Best release" is debatable and subjective, but it is possible for them to release a set. I think they would release these on Eclipse with Street of Shame and The Life of Oharu as stand alone releases.

[Tommaso]

In my personal position I cannot buy in Amazon.co.uk because I dont own a credit card, I buy everything in a local store who only imports what Criterion Releases,so thats why I am particularly frustrated that Criterion hasnt released anything more from Mizoguchi or Naruse, I dont care if they duplicate because I cant buy the MoC, I think that many people have a similar position.

Try ebay (a nuisance, I know), and pay with paypal. Don't know the situation in the US, but in Europe you can use paypal with normal bank transfer instead of a credit card.

Much excited about the Rivette news, of course, especially because someone at CC called him 'low priority' not so long ago. I hope on "L'amour fou" and keep my fingers crossed on "Jeanne la Pucelle". I would be surprised if they released something as far out as "Duelle/Noroit".

[Perkins Cobb]

"Duelle" & "Noroit" are actually pretty colorful & accessible ... I really bet that if the Criterion folks saw them among the Rivette retro in London or at MMI the wheels started turning. I'd put my money on those over the four-hour "L'Amour Fou," much as I love that film. But if they're pairing something with "Paris nous appartient" I bet it will be none of those, probably either "The Nun" or a single film from the 80s ("Le pont du nord"?) or 90s ("Up Down Fragile"?).

So Nabob has a point, I should wait on my proposal to Tamara until they announce the actual titles. Sorry, Tam, I'm impetuous. Move up those Mizoguchis and that'll help.

[justeleblanc]

The Nun is Lionsgate/Studio Canal so I think that would be out of the question.

[Tommaso]

"Duelle" & "Noroit" are actually pretty colorful & accessible ... I really bet that if the Criterion folks saw them among the Rivette retro in London or at MMI the wheels started turning.

Hope you're right, of course, though I find at least "Noroit" mindblowingly weird (but utterly great, one of my favorite Rivettes). Still I think "Jeanne La Pucelle" should have a greater appeal for a wider audience, and of course they could market it as a companion piece to the Dreyer film. I haven't seen "L'amour fou", and thus do not know how accessible it is. Probably not very much. But as this isn't available anywhere in the world, they'd do a real service to Rivette fans.

[justeleblanc]

L'Amour fou is similar to Out 1 and The Mother and the Whore in its accessibility, and it's possible to market this as a somewhat biographical take on the end of the Godard-Karina marriage. I saw a print of it at the NGA last year and it was an absolutely stunning print, save for the reel changes.