Criterion and IFC

[rrenault]

It really surprises me that they will snub Certified Copy and possibly Caves of Forgotten Dreams. It seems odd to me that Becker and Turrell would pass on a major director's work (Certified Copy, Tabloid) because they consider the films to be minor entries in their respective catalogs. These aren't poorly reviewed films, in fact several have won major awards and lapped up almost universal critical praise. They seem to have no problems releasing every minor film associated with the likes of Bergman, Kurosawa, Fellini, etc. Which is a good thing because there's a lot of overlooked gems beyond their more well known titles. Seems like a bit of a double standard.

You forgot Louis Malle. I don't understand the Malle fetish. On a side note, Criterion probably excluded Dreams thinking that was minor Kurosawa, so I doubt there is entirely a double standard. They've never treated Dersu Uzala in any way, shape or form either.

[swo17]

Certified Copy has to happen eventually. And one of the special features had better be an apology from Peter Becker.

[Jeff]

You forgot Louis Malle. I don't understand the Malle fetish. On a side note, Criterion probably excluded Dreams thinking that was minor Kurosawa, so I doubt there is entirely a double standard. They've never treated Dersu Uzala in any way, shape or form either.

Criterion can't just release whatever they like. Janus purchased the U.S. rights to the Malle catalog, which came as a package, so of course they'll be releasing all the films they have the rights to. Dreams is owned by Warner, and while it may be released eventually, nothing has come of that agreement yet. Dersu Uzala is owned by Kino, and they will release it on Blu next year.

[Harmonov]

Certified Copy has to happen eventually. And one of the special features had better be an apology from Peter Becker.

I really hope that this was just hyperbole on the part of Mr. Sehring. He was really kind in his answer and said that Criterion, as great as they are, are REALLY hard to work with because they are so damn picky about what they release. They don't want to upset their original intent as a company.

[Harmonov]

One last bit before I go to bed. Lost in the "major, minor" arguments is the confirmation of Errol Morris' first three films, including The Thin Blue Line. While this may have been expected, to have this confirmed, to me, is the highlight of the year thus far. I can't wait for this release.

Good night, y'all.

[SpiderBaby]

If this is true, it's funny to me they call something minor, yet they are getting ready to release Nolan's minor film just to whore out his name for cash.

[rrenault]

It's called hypocrisy. It's a side effect of being human.

[rrenault]

They don't want to compromise their original intent as a company, yet they release a cash mongering Christopher Nolan "indie" while overlooking a Rivette film starring a dead man, sitting right in their basket.

[SpiderBaby]

If this is true (which I think it is) and it's late at night so I might feel stupid tomorrow, but this is pretty much crap and a bad image on Criterion's part in most film lovers' eyes who explores film outside of what critics and Criterion's shiny covers makes us believe is the be-all.

Oh, let's whore out Nolan's name with the only film of his we can touch. What, it's minor? Who cares, it's Nolan and we can make some cash.

[knives]

Not to defend Becker's stupid argument, but I would call Following major Nolan. At the very least it's top three for him. It's not like they're releasing Insomnia.

[Tom Hagen]

I can't imagine that he actually said that about Certified Copy or the new Herzog and Morris films. First of all, no one says "minor" anything after The Squid and the Whale because they know they'll just come off sound like a pretentious dickhead. Second, it doesn't make sense because so many of these IFC titles are inherently minor to begin with. Why would he start discriminating all of the sudden when it comes to more established auteurs, especially when the films are, you know, really good?

That said, if the rest of this story isn't complete bullshit someone made up, hurrah for the Morris titles. Two absolute stone cold classics from the man I consider to be America's most essential contemporary filmmaker.

[bainbridgezu]

I wouldn't call Following a minor Nolan film with regard to his body of work as a whole. While it’s not a hugely popular title, it quite clearly lays out the groundwork for much of what comes after: you can easily draw a line from Following through Memento and Insomnia to Nolan’s recent popular successes (Inception and, to some degree, his Batman films). Whether or not Nolan's work stands against Herzog and Kiarostami is another matter, but Becker's position seems to be that the films he turned down are minor within the oeuvres of their respective directors; while I'm quite pleased to hear that they're still working on Following, I'm as baffled as anyone else at what they've (supposedly) turned down.

[matrixschmatrix]

If this is true (which I think it is) and it's late at night so I might feel stupid tomorrow, but this is pretty much crap and a bad image on Criterion's part in most film lovers' eyes who explores film outside of what critics and Criterion's shiny covers makes us believe is the be-all.

Oh, let's whore out Nolan's name with the only film of his we can touch. What, it's minor? Who cares, it's Nolan and we can make some cash.

I am so freaking mad about this thirdhand information based on speculation and spitballing that I have lost all respect for Criterion.

[SpiderBaby]

Not to defend Becker's stupid argument, but I would call Following major Nolan. At the very least it's top three for him. It's not like they're releasing Insomnia.

We could sit here and say it's major, but let's be honest, walk up to 3-4 random people and ask them to name 3 Nolan films. Following would not be one of them. But let's get away from this, as I'm not trying to label anything "minor" as I was comparing the silly comment made about something being "minor" and still release minor titles. With that comment and other things I won't get into, it makes it sound like Criterion is more like an Opinion-based company that targets the hipster/film school/Wes Anderson crowd and less to the people like us who wish to explore more than what Criterion puts in our faces with a shiny new cover.

[swo17]

Psst, guys, if we complain too hard about the leaks, they're gonna call in a plumber to get rid of them all for good. And by plumber, I mean this dude:

[SpiderBaby]

I am so freaking mad about this thirdhand information based on speculation and spitballing that I have lost all respect for Criterion.

it's cool, sarcasm doesn't get to me. We'll find out tomorrow if Criterion will comment on this anyways.

[knives]

We could sit here and say it's major, but let's be honest, walk up to 3-4 random people and ask them to name 3 Nolan films. Following would not be one of them.

I was just referring to quality. Only two of his films have been more successful to me.

[SpiderBaby]

I was just referring to quality. Only two of his films have been more successful to me.

I understand 100% by that. That is what others prob are asking about him saying Cert Copy "is minor". Does he mean less popular or not his best?

[knives]

You won't find me arguing that. Those terms are too vague, yet too definitive.

[ShellOilJunior]

All this talk about major and minor works has given me an urge for a Criterion marathon.

Now if you'll excuse me while I go watch Drive He Said, A Safe Place, and Sanders of the River --- back-to-back-to-back.

[Harmonov]

Jesus, damn. I should have known this was going to blow up when I posted it. I wish I would have recorded the question I asked so there would be no doubt about how Mr. Sehring stated what Becker said about Certified Copy. One thing we must remember is that Jonathan Sehring told me all of this at a Q&A session after the screening of a film. He was relaying Peter Becker's comments and as I put on Facebook last night, I really can't remember if he used the actual word "minor" or not in his assessment of the film. I literally hit the computer as soon as I returned home from the screening so I wouldn't forget anything he said.

[Jgh8xxx]

Certified Copy will not be released by Criterion...at least at this time. Becker considers it minor Kiarostami. I can almost hear the collective sighs of this forum. He also mentioned...4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days.

A double edged sword of news for me...VERY enthusiastic about 4 Months but VERY disappointed about Certified Copy.

Add me to the list of folks shocked that Tiny Furniture seems worthy of the collection while Certified Copy does not.

[Harmonov]

Certified Copy will not be released by Criterion...at least at this time. Becker considers it minor Kiarostami. I can almost hear the collective sighs of this forum. He also mentioned...4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days.

A double edged sword of news for me...VERY enthusiastic about 4 Months but VERY disappointed about Certified Copy.

Add me to the list of folks shocked that Tiny Furniture seems worthy of the collection while Certified Copy does not.

Once again, none of this really means that Certified Copy won't be in the Collection...unless all of the animosity kicked up here and elsewhere creates problems.

[swo17]

Major Barbara is major Barbara.

The Major and the Minor is...?

[domino harvey]

Universally appreciated