'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.2

[kaujot]

I know for a fact that scholars who do interviews and/or commentaries are (sometimes, at least) paid with CC dvds.

Yo La Tengo got a few handfuls!

[What A Disgrace]

I hope November brings the Close Up DVD. And Blu Ray

[Jeff]

If that were the case I'd imagine we'd see a lot of barebones CC discs. I mean, how many directors would spend their own money and basically pay for the privilege of having the wacky c on their film? Aside from the Wes Andersons and Michael Bays of the world, who basically begged for the Criterion treatment, it seems unlikely.

It's a hard question to answer without knowing more about the particular situation the poster was talking about. His "friend" could have been requesting the production of supplements that went beyond the budget Criterion had drafted for the disc. The whole post sounds pretty odd to me...but it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some truth to it but filtered through someone who is obviously somewhat embittered against Criterion. While I've never heard anything bad about Criterion through people I know in the industry, I've heard of similar questionable ethics at other labels. Who knows how widespread of a practice such demands are?

It sounds like a story that's been exaggerated as it went from his friend to him. The only director in the collection that I can think of who remotely fits the profile of "a classmate who had a deal for his film with them was told he could provide all the bonus features he wanted, as long as he paid for them" is David Gordon Green, who went to the North Carolina School of the Arts and made George Washington right out of college. He did indeed make a distribution deal with Janus and the now-defunct Cowboy pictures for distribution - which was pretty unprecedented at the time for a young guy making his first film. I can imagine that Criterion might have been reluctant to load a disc for a movie like that (which didn't exactly catch fire at the box office) with special features. I can see them saying, "we thought maybe we could record a commentary for the disc, and we're willing to master and transfer your student films for you" and him countering with: "I really like Clu Gulager's A Day with the Boys, could you license the rights to that from Universal? It was a big influence on me. And I did an interview with Charlie Rose. Would you license that from PBS?" At which point, Turrell and Becker would say, "Hey David, you can license all the bonus features you want and we'll include them on the disc as long as you're willing to pay for them." That seems reasonable to me. Of course, I don't know that anything like that transpired. The one time I met David Gordon Green, I talked to him about Criterion, and he only said how amazing they were and how thrilled he was with the product that he released.

So yes, I can imagine Criterion asking a unproven director to pay for extraordinary licensed product that he wants to include. I don't think, however, that this remotely implies that Criterion usually has directors pay for typical content on their discs. I do not think that when Cronenberg, or Wenders, or Mamet show up to record a commentary track, the Criterion producer says, "I hope you brought your checkbook, motherfucker."

Of course, this story could also be about Joe Swanberg, and the randomly-speculated Criterion disc of one of his films. If that's the case, I hope Criterion has him pay for the entire production, and has him "distribute" it out of the trunk of his car.

[Narshty]

Many of the special features for George Washington were actually licensed from the BFI; the commentary, deleted scene and remastered short films, plus their accompanying commentaries, were created by Mark Rance's Three Legged Cat for the UK release.

[MichaelB]

While I've never heard anything bad about Criterion through people I know in the industry, I've heard of similar questionable ethics at other labels. Who knows how widespread of a practice such demands are?

It depends on how you define "questionable". As far as I'm concerned, if it's a label with decent backing behind it, I'd expect to be paid a fair market rate for my contribution (in cash, not DVDs) - but if it's a small indie label, I'm far more flexible. I certainly don't think it's "questionable ethics" to request a massively reduced (or even nonexistent) fee if the label is upfront about it and I know they're run on a shoestring and would genuinely struggle to pay my usual rate.

The crucial thing is that I need to know in advance (preferably in writing) what I can expect in terms of remuneration, and the label has to deliver on this promise without any significant prompting on my part. Otherwise I simply won't work with them again, and as this is a very small world indeed, rumours are likely to spread.

[Jeff]

Many of the special features for George Washington were actually licensed from the BFI; the commentary, deleted scene and remastered short films, plus their accompanying commentaries, were created by Mark Rance's Three Legged Cat for the UK release.

Thanks, Narshty. I wasn't aware of that. So basically all of the supplements on that great disc except for the "exclusive new video interviews with the cast" were licensed from third parties.

My scenario was just a hypothetical one in which I could imagine Criterion asking a director to pay for some things that he wanted to license. I don't know that they've ever done that, nor do I know that there's any validity to that guy's story.

[criterionaficionado]

i just got notice hanyo 1960 shipped from yesasia. will report back once quality is reviewed. predict CC release late 2010?
hope 11/09 brings something new/never released on dvd already anywhere! no more retreads for awhile, please!

[Perkins Cobb]

Many of the special features for George Washington were actually licensed from the BFI; the commentary, deleted scene and remastered short films, plus their accompanying commentaries, were created by Mark Rance's three legged cat for the UK release.

Wow. If you think about it, that's pretty impressive for a cat.

[cdnchris]

Even more impressive since it has a significant handicap.

[Jeff]

The cat is differently abled, Chris.

[cdnchris]

Sorry. I can be such an asshole.

[swo17]

Don't be too hard on yourself Chris, you are just differently holed.

[AisleSeat]

In regards to supplements, as Criterion has a budget for each and every DVD it releases, it's not really a stretch to say that if an individual or organization asks for too much compensation for a particular interview or short feature, Criterion might pass. In addition, doesn't it make sense that many filmmakers and commentators would jump at the opportunity to provide additional material for a Criterion DVD, for perhaps little if any remuneration. The Criterion DVD is, after all, almost always the definitive, most completely realized version of a particular work.

On a different note and a change of subject, allow me to point out what the Japan Foundation does to expand the reach of Japan's culture through Japanese film and literature. If an cultural or educational organization here in the U.S. or elsewhere wishes to show a classic or cultural Japanese film, the Foundation will provide the film at no cost (if it's in their library) to the presenting institution. We're talking 35 and 16mm here, in addition to VCR or DVD. The Foundation only requires that shipping costs be covered in full, and in truth, these can be considerable as many films most likely will be coming from Japan.

As for literature, the Japan Foundation has a grant program in which they will pay up to 50% translation costs of certain Japanese works. Furthermore, and even more generously, they will then provide support up to 50% of a publication's printing costs. Now, of course, not every Japanese work of lit qualifies for these grants, as the Foundation has a list of specific books that they desire to see issued in English as well as other languages. But for any publisher who wishes to expand into translated Japanese literature, this program is a godsend.

The reason I mention these programs is I wonder whether Criterion might be receiving grant money from the Japan Foundation or some other Japanese entity for some of its releases. Is it possible that some form financial assistance is provided for new translations and captions, or, perhaps, to help offset production costs? I tend to think not, but, nevertheless, there's a lot of Japanese money floating around out there. And, as already noted, the Japan Foundation, as well as other Japanese governmental and cultural institutions, are very interested in seeing Japanese film and literature reach a wider audience around the globe.

[bradass]

It looks like a director's cut of Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil is screening at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. I wasn't aware that an alternate cut of the film even existed. Could this be in advance of an upcoming Criterion release - the Ang Lee title that's been suggested?

[ianungstad]

Sounds very likely. I was the one who had asked Mulvaney about more Ang Lee and his reply definitly indicated multiple titles in the future.

I thought that the Ang Lee titles Mulvaney referred to might have been the 3 Good Machine productions he did in the 90s but Eat Drink Man Woman is still in print via MGM. The MGM Wedding Banquet is out of print but it's possible they still have the rights, especially considering Eat, Drink is still available. The old image disc of Pushing Hands has been out of print for years, so that's a definite possibilty.

With a new director's cut being screened, the old disc being nearly barebones and generally ignored in Focus's library, I could definitly see Criterion doing something with Ride with the Devil. I don't think it's going to be a popular choice on the forum but I quite liked the film.

[Flike]

Any chance that with the possible future release of Che, that we could also receive My Winnipeg by Guy Maddin as there is no R1 DVD release?

Check out the book/DVD combination from Amazon.com Canada. The book includes the complete screenplay, with extensive (and very funny) annotations by Maddin, plus essays, behind the scenes information, an interview with Ann Savage and more. The DVD doesn't have a commentary track, but it does have some bonus features -- footage of a showing of the movie, I think (can't quite remember).

And it's only $22.65 Canadian. I highly recommend it. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.ca/My-Winnipeg-Book-D ... 409&sr=8-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is old but I'm sick and it's rainy so I'm trudging through the thread. Back in February:

To the best of my knowledge, we have no plans for "My Winnipeg" at this time. Thanks for your e-mail!

[oldsheperd]

I imagine "Mickey One" is a Warner Bros. property.

[Matt]

I imagine "Mickey One" is a Warner Bros. property.

Why would you imagine that? It was released by Columbia. (And what post were you responding to, anyway?)

[oldsheperd]

Didn't actively seek the title in the search option. Sorry.

[knives]

Does anyone know who holds the rights for Epstein's House of Usher. Since the old disc is OOP, and not the best transfer, I'd kill to have it reissued.
As for legitimate guessing, is it possible that the Morrissey's will go back to Criterion because of the Castle Hill deal. At the very least Frankenstein, and I'm sure be extension Dracula, are controlled by Castle Hill and that random list was put in the newsletter some time ago. I could be wrong, but I think Insomnia was also licensed by them.

[ehimle]

Does anyone know who holds the rights for Epstein's House of Usher. Since the old disc is OOP, and not the best transfer, I'd kill to have it reissued.

I believe this (and other epsteins) is talked about by peerpee as a potential new moc disc coming out next year.
you need to get a region 2 player at least... with this and the laloux you were asking about.

[knives]

I should crave in to multi-region,but my brain has a double dip block on it, even if it's technically not. But I really want those Epstein's and Laloux. Maybe for christmas.

[HerrSchreck]

I'm pretty sure the print used by Kalat @ All-Day for the Image disc came from the Raymond Rohauer estate.. i e Douris. (Just like the sublime La Glace a trois faces)

[ianungstad]

http://www.criterionforums.com/forums/i ... entry10086" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Possible box set of Peter Greenaway films to come out soon? The spine numbers on the image are a little outdated....don't really know what to think. Has anyone seen this image floating around before? Anyone can vouch for this graphic designer? The work looks very nice IMO.

[domino harvey]

Total fabrication on the part of the graphic designer