Criterion and IFC

[matrixschmatrix]

Yeah, I think it's a fallacy to assume that Criterion has x amount of time/effort and that every release that doesn't interest you for whatever reason bumps a release that would- if Criterion's barely putting any features into these, and the HD transfers are ready to hand, I doubt it's really occupying a lot of man hours there.

[Gary Gnu]

Yeah, I think it's a fallacy to assume that Criterion has x amount of time/effort and that every release that doesn't interest you for whatever reason bumps a release that would- if Criterion's barely putting any features into these, and the HD transfers are ready to hand, I doubt it's really occupying a lot of man hours there.

I agree: What about IFC films that need this treatment like Paranoid Park, or Last Days, or My Winnipeg? I said earlier that I like this IFC deal, but they really dropped the ball on those titles; and need I bring up Certified Copy again? That was a true travesty! ("Minor" Kiarostami my ass.)

The potential for this deal is great, but that doesn't mean shit. There needs to be some actuality here. (Yeah, speaking in Aristotelian terms.)

[I do believe that Carlos, along with a few others deserve to be in the Collection, though.]

[ianungstad]

What surprises me most about some of these IFC releases is how long they take to come out. In a few instances it takes 12-14 months from theatrical to put out a package which is pretty much a direct port of the R2. I don't personally mind, I'm just surprised that IFC is okay with that. I guess their main thrust is digital, so they are more flexible with lead times on eventual dvd/blu.

Criterion sometimes puts a fair bit of effort into these releases. Life During Wartime which is coming out in a few weeks is a good example. I don't think there's been a special edition for ANY of Todd Solondz's films, EVER. They also created a number of orginal supplements for Che.

The solicit for Carlos also mentions "much more!", I'm sure it will eventually amount to quite a stacked release.

[Gregory]

Regarding Criterion's decision not to release Certified Copy:
This film has a perfectly affordable UK Blu-ray and DVD (and the Blu-ray is region-free to boot!). If Criterion had released this, wouldn't people now be complaining that the release was "unnecessary" and that it didn't improve enough on the original and whatnot? Maybe part of their agreement required that Criterion not be permitted to add too much of their own extra content to some of the release. Maybe they're too busy with everything else they release. Aren't they damned if they do and damned if they don't in cases like this?

[Tribe]

I agree: What about IFC films that need this treatment like Paranoid Park, or Last Days, or My Winnipeg? I said earlier that I like this IFC deal, but they really dropped the ball on those titles; and need I bring up Certified Copy again? That was a true travesty! ("Minor" Kiarostami my ass.)

There's nothing to show that Paranoid Park was ever made available to Criterion. As I recall it was released by IFC before the Criterion/IFC deal. I think the jury is still out on Certified Copy (in fact, and I could be wrong, but I think the poster who initially posted that tidbit retracted from it a little so that it wasn't as clear cut as it initially appeared). In any event, releasing or not releasing Paranoid Park or My WInnipeg amounts to nothing more than "why doesn't Criterion release what I want it to" and I think there's a thread devoted to exactly that.

[Gary Gnu]

What about IFC films that need this treatment like Paranoid Park, or Last Days, or My Winnipeg? I said earlier that I like this IFC deal, but they really dropped the ball on those titles; and need I bring up Certified Copy again? That was a true travesty! ("Minor" Kiarostami my ass.)

There's nothing to show that Paranoid Park was ever made available to Criterion. As I recall it was released by IFC before the Criterion/IFC deal. I think the jury is still out on Certified Copy (in fact, and I could be wrong, but I think the poster who initially posted that tidbit retracted from it a little so that it wasn't as clear cut as it initially appeared). In any event, releasing or not releasing Paranoid Park or My WInnipeg amounts to nothing more than "why doesn't Criterion release what I want it to" and I think there's a thread devoted to exactly that.

No, it's not a matter of selfishness on my part. I don't like the DVD treatment they were given, but I'm not really complaining. I'm just confused why IFC isn't offering these films with lackluster DVD releases to Criterion for them to deal with. It baffles me. You're certainly right: Some blame should be put on IFC.

About Certified Copy: I forgot who made that statement, but it was not completely taken out of context. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure they've pulled the plug on that film.

Regarding Criterion's decision not to release Certified Copy:
This film has a perfectly affordable UK Blu-ray and DVD (and the Blu-ray is region-free to boot!). If Criterion had released this, wouldn't people now be complaining that the release was "unnecessary" and that it didn't improve enough on the original and whatnot? Maybe part of their agreement required that Criterion not be permitted to add too much of their own extra content to some of the release. Maybe they're too busy with everything else they release. Aren't they damned if they do and damned if they don't in cases like this?

Well, Kiarostami already has two films in the Collection. I'd think of it as a legacy of sorts. Also, it seems like the overwhelming majority of people were disappointed by how Criterion turned down this film. What's worse is that they picked up Tiny Furniture instead, which I am not personally opposed to; but the overwhelming majority is. So, I don't know if they had nowhere to go with this matter. They could have drawn a positive response.

At least, I hope that people aren't ready to pounce on Criterion at every turn. This has been the only instance in which it's disappointed me.

[ianungstad]

While IFC's output deal with MGM has obviously expired, the titles that are distributed by Genius are still very much in print. IFC almost certainly couldn't license Paranoid Park to Criterion until the rights expire with Genius Products. You can't really complain if the rights aren't available.

MPI has not solicited a dvd/blu of Certified Copy yet, so we really don't know who will release the film or not. We only have a rumor that Criterion never commented either way on. I actually think they will end up releasing it.

[Gary Gnu]

MPI has not solicited a dvd/blu of Certified Copy yet, so we really don't know who will release the film or not. We only have a rumor that Criterion never commented either way on. I actually think they will end up releasing it.

Yeah, I think it will be, too. I just don't like that that rumor even exists.

[Arthur House]

Speaking of MPI/Blockbuster exclusives, perhaps that's what happened to the theatrical Carlos. My friend was telling me he saw an MPI edition of the short version on the racks @ a B & M Blockbuster, so maybe that version of the film isn't available to Criterion?

[cdnchris]

We sure it's not actually on the Criterion release? I know it's not listed but it seems weird to me the DVD is 4-discs (I would assume 2 discs for the TV version, one for the theatrical, and then one for extras.) Maybe it's part of the "much more"?

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Would they try three discs for the TV version (a la Optimum) and one for the theatrical version with the extras doled out among the four discs?

[ianungstad]

Hardly official but it looks like IFC will be distributing Herzog's next. From an interview on Indiewire with Erik Nelson about the success of Caves of Forgotten Dreams:

Nelson is currently working on Herzog’s follow up to “Dreams,” the as-yet-officially-untitled “Death Row Project.” He said they’re currently speaking to IFC/Sundance Selects about it and that they “are his first and only choice as distributors.”

C'mon Becker! We want some Herzog!

[Gary Gnu]

Hardly official but it looks like IFC will be distributing Herzog's next ...

C'mon Becker! We want some Herzog!

Cave of Forgotten Dreams would also make for a great Criterion release. Thing is, Herzog suffers from having too many good movies that are deserving of the Criterion treatment. Really, every one of his movies is deserving of a Criterion special edition!

Lynch has this bug the worst. All of his movies warrant a Criterion release!

Thanks for the update. Hopefully this will make way for Nosferatu and Woyzeck and Aguirre and Stroszek and...

[Trip]

IMDb lists Criterion as the DVD/Blu-ray distributors of Certified Copy.

[Anthony]

IMDb lists Criterion as the DVD/Blu-ray distributors of Certified Copy.

This is very good news, indeed.

[knives]

Unreliable.

[eerik]

Everyone can submit such information to IMDb. But if they do plan to release Certified Copy I hope they'll also upgrade Taste of Cherry to Blu-ray. Any other Kiarostami film would also be very welcome.

Oh, and AE's region free Blu-ray of Certified Copy is available on Amazon.co.uk for 7 pounds (about $12 USD).

[Peacock]

Criterion has been listed as the home video distributor of Certified Copy for several months now, before even the whole 'minor Kiarostami' comment. It means nothing.

[ianungstad]

It looks like Criterion has passed on "Tabloid". It's scheduled to come out on dvd from MPI in November.

[Harmonov]

It looks like Criterion has passed on "Tabloid". It's scheduled to come out on dvd from MPI in November.

Bullshit on Criterion for this. It seemed so ripe for them to add it. Sigh.

[ianungstad]

I understand they are in a unique situation in which they want films from IFC but also want to minimize the number of IFC titles they license to maintain a good variety of films in the pipeline, but it's unfortunate that they are passing on titles like Tabloid for reasons that have nothing to do with it's quality. I honestly don't think consumers would be the least bit upset if Criterion released Tabloid, Certified Copy, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, etc. and would actually embrace those titles. If it's a great film by a respected director; they should make an effort to release it since they have the opportunity. Whatever the logic Becker is using here, it seems odd and out of sync to me.

[domino harvey]

Surely Tabloid would outsell something like White Material?

[FerdinandGriffon]

Tabloid, Certified Copy, Cave of Forgotten Dreams > Hunger, Fish Tank, Gamorrah

I think this is both a personal opinion and a general critical consensus. The IFC deal choices seem very arbitrary to me.

[Jeff]

Tabloid, Certified Copy, Cave of Forgotten Dreams > Hunger, Fish Tank, Gomorrah>colonoscopy footage>Tiny Furniture

Fixed.

[ianungstad]

Well, there's still been no home video announcement for either Certified Copy or Cave of Forgotten Dreams, so they may still be in play. Cave of Forgotten Dreams has to be the front runner for the Oscar in the documentary category? I don't think any other documentary has had both the critical and commercial success that it has had this year. Criterion would be foolish to pass on it.