Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[therewillbeblus]

Yeah, beat me to the post. Though if Les bonnes femmes is with Criterion to release, I'm down. This masterpiece just needs to go to print already.

[domino harvey]

I mean, if Criterion wants to highlight a female-focused film that feels sadly timeless in its social critiques, it would be an obvious choice. But Criterion already passed on all the Chabrols hVe released, including La ceremonie, so who knows

[therewillbeblus]

I'd be thrilled with any label releasing it, but the hope would be the longer cut (not that anyone would, at least in full, without an ability to translate that joke properly).

[domino harvey]

Since they’d be using what SC gives them, I think it will be uncut no matter who releases it— will be interesting to see how they go about translating it though

[jwd5275]

In case anyone is curious about what is likely in the Hakim brothers library: Robert Hakim

[Noiradelic]

But Criterion already passed on all the Chabrols hVe released, including La ceremonie, so who knows

They've had La ceremonie in their streaming library since the Hulu days (possibly when the dedicated channel launched), so I actually think it has a good chance of getting released eventually. However, your point fully stands in regard to any of the other hVe Chabrols.

[jwd5275]

Masques and Une Affaire de femmes have been streaming for a long time too

[Noiradelic]

I forgot -- Masques been up since the Hulu era too.

[therewillbeblus]

The real question is whether or not Juste avant la nuit is coming

[whaleallright]

Chabrol def. seems in danger of being nearly forgotten outside of France -- so many excellent films across a long career, so few of them in circulation. For many years he was pretty dependable arthouse business, too.

[therewillbeblus]

He’s also arguably the most accessible nouvelle vague filmmaker to mainstream audiences, earning his French Hitchcock stamp. I can think of plenty of his output that would appeal to most anyone that is willing to read subtitles, so his absence in the market has always puzzled me.

[NABOB OF NOWHERE]

He’s also arguably the most accessible nouvelle vague filmmaker to mainstream audiences, earning his French Hitchcock stamp. I can think of plenty of his output that would appeal to most anyone that is willing to read subtitles, so his absence in the market has always puzzled me.

Are there any Chabrol restorations on the horizon anywhere?

Restoration funds were made available 4-5 years ago for the Artedis titles but rights issues have stalled the progress

As far as I know nothing's changed. Maybe Tenia has more up to date info?

[tenia]

Having recently seen popping up again the related 2018 Canard enchainé's article about how the Chabrol's restorations were stuck, I don't think anything has changed.
Artedis own 14 movies, including Que la bête meure, Le boucher, Nada, Les biches, La femme infidèle, La rupture, La décade prodigieuse, Les noces rouges and Juste avant la nuit.
Fundings were given (900k€) in 2012 and 2013, but only Le boucher was restored in 2016, but when the restoration was screened, Stephane Audran saw it and deemed it absolutely awful.
It is said that Le boucher (I guess through the awful restoration), Les biches (whose rights aren't even owned by Artedis anymore), Que la bête meure and La femme infidèle are restored.

[knives]

Honestly, in America, there are more good quality editions of Chabrol then ever before. He just happened to make a lot of movies so naturally a lot are going to fall through.

[swo17]

Honestly, in America, there are more good quality editions of Chabrol then ever before. He just happened to make a lot of movies so naturally a lot are going to fall through.

True, although glaringly none of it is from arguably his most crucial period, 1968-1975

[knives]

That's definitely disappointing and none of my top ten from the list have been either. Still, it's far from the worst fays to be a fan of his so I'm at least somewhat placated. Nonetheless if some enterprising company would like to do a release of the HVE titles and Cry of the Owl I won't complain.

[whaleallright]

right, after I posted I realized that his earliest and latest periods are decently (not ideally) represented on home video, but arguably his most fertile creative period is not. I was rewatching the Pathfinder(?) DVD of La rupture a litle while back and it looked, if you'll pardon my French, like sh*t.

[FrauBlucher]

Two Dassin upgrades coming

[soundchaser]

As are Beau travail, Christ Stopped at Eboli, and The Elephant Man. Did anyone get a single title right this month?

[therewillbeblus]

And Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project 3- Bressonaire strikes again!

[Clarence]

Beau Travail!!!

[Drucker]

Incredible month

[therewillbeblus]

I realize I'm the outlier here, but I don't love any of these films as much as most do (Beau Travail is very welcome though). Some of the non-Pixote WCP titles sound interesting, but I'm just happy for all those die-hard Elephant Man fans out there who have been itching for this one for years, even if I may never understand why.

[Saturnome]

I'm happy that we get a volume 3 of the World Project (Soleil O!!), and Beau Travail. So happy that I may blind buy some other releases as well. I don't know a thing about Christ Stopped at Eboli or Dassin outside of Rififi.

[FrauBlucher]

Glad to see another Rialto get a release