Mondo Vision

[eltopo]

"On The Silver Globe" - can someone verify the status of this release?

[David M.]

It's been delayed into next year due to financial difficulties.
The release order has been changed. Basically it's one of the more "niche" titles so it will be released later on.

[perkizitore]

So which title is next?

[David M.]

:-"

Sorry, I'm not allowed to say until Mondo Vision announce titles themselves.

[Adam X]

Update: "Silver Globe has been indefinitely postponed. The production and extras are almost complete but due to lack of budget we are unable to publish the film at this time. We are currently working on a new release of Possession for 2011. - Mondo Vision"

David, do I remember you mentioning somewhere online that MV were planning on updating their site sometime soon? Or can they not afford someone to maintain the thing while publishing such stunning releases?

[nolanoe]

I am truly saddened that On the Silver Globe got postponed. This is, by far, the one I am looking forward to the most, especially as the film is in fragments, and could be "remixed" in interesting ways, given that Zulawski wants to revisit it.

[David M.]

There's no plans to "remix" it, it's just the original film as-is. I remember speculating about that a few pages back, but that was basically me being a DVD author and thinking "I wonder what we could do with that" (emphasis on "could" - we'd never meddle with it, of course ).

But as it happens, we recorded an interview with Zulawski (quite recently) and the general gist of it is that "what's done is done". The Polish authorities asked him to revisit the film after they'd changed their minds, and the result is the version that exists today with the "bridging" scenes. I think if you were to ask AZ, he'd tell you that there's nothing to add - it is what it is.

I've not heard about any web site updates, but Mondo Vision handle that themselves, so I wouldn't know - sorry!

[Psicosis]

All Zulawski films cater to a niche demographic and since so many people were looking forward to Mondo Visions DVD edition of "On The Silver Globe" I don't see any reason not to release it next.

[ouatitw]

It makes perfect sense to release the title which will sell well right now especially when DVD sales are going down. It will also bring attention to the director and the company, all around a good idea.


But the more important question, is Mondo Vision still in business? I've noticed on amazon that almost all of their titles are out of stock and many are selling at pretty high prices in the 3rd party area? Please tell me this is a temporary thing...... I really do like this company and hope its doing okay.

[David M.]

is Mondo Vision still in business?

Yes, they are. Not sure when they will announce what's coming next; because I want to share it!

[ouatitw]

is Mondo Vision still in business?

Yes, they are. Not sure when they will announce what's coming next; because I want to share it!

Very nice, I went ahead and bought SZAMANKA to complete my collection and support this great company.

[Bunny Dojo]

David, do I remember you mentioning somewhere online that MV were planning on updating their site sometime soon? Or can they not afford someone to maintain the thing while publishing such stunning releases?

I can tell you that the site's design, functionality, and content are based on very exact on-going instructions from the company's president, so you're seeing what Mondo Vision wants to share. Along with several design and expansion suggestions (and demonstrations) offered free of charge over the years, I've occasionally tried to green light a blog or Facebook page or Twitter account, etc. to keep fans more in the loop and help people show their enthusiasm for the releases, but there's a strong urge to let the films speak for themselves in a very specific manner.

It's tricky. As a fan, you appreciate how much they love these films and want to put out pure releases free of gimmicks, shortcuts, or commercial styling that could distract from the content, but you can't help but crave a little more 'conventional' marketing in one area or another.

On packaging, I don't think I'd be overstepping to say that I've already completed a great deal of work for two new titles (the Special Editions in particular). And, knowing the amazing job David does with transfers, it's fair to expect that when the company is ready, the next release should be set quickly soon after and will in all regards be up to the standards you're used to, if not better.

I don't know if that helps at all, but I just wanted to offer what little insight I can on the releases.

As a sidenote, I read through this thread and was thrilled at how enthusiastic people have been. I know much of the praise for what Mondo Vision does is based on the wonders David is able to work on the films themselves rather than the packaging, but still... it's a nice feeling.

[Adam X]

thanks for that.
not to say that your artistic contributions aren't as equally loved... I don't think the releases would have quite the same feel if the design work wasn't so wonderfully complimentary to David's hard work and of course Zulawski's films. (the special editions in particular).
it's interesting to get a better idea of MV's approach. I think if it wasn't for being spoiled rotten by all the information available via the internet these days, there'd be far more modest expectations with regard to what's going on with them as a company, aside from the obvious.

as always, looking forward to whatever's coming... it's nice to still have some surprises these days

[Psicosis]

I hope Mondo Vision reconsiders the order of upcoming releases and chooses to put out "On The Silver Globe" first. Every time I visit the official site, I keep expecting to find a surprise imminent release date which confirms the low key information approach was essential in increasing the progress and quality of the release. Unfortunately it appears "Possession" (which is widely available in multiple regions) is next?

[Ashirg]

They should abandon everything they were doing and start working on Boris Godunov.... That film was not released on DVD in any form, not even on unauthorized DVD from Facets....

[Beyonder]

Well, I can understand if they're releasing Possession next from a purely economical perspective. It's still something of a disappointment if one considers films like La Note Bleue, On the Silver Globe and Diabel, since they are far more obscure. I'm looking forward to whatever they're releasing next, but I'm not quite as enthusiastic about Possession as the other ones.
Any ideas about why MV won't release Boris Godunov? It's definitely the most hard movie to come by.
Also, does anyone know anything about "Matière noire"? Supposedly it's a new Zulawski-film in production development...

[Psicosis]

They should abandon everything they were doing and start working on Boris Godunov.... That film was not released on DVD in any form, not even on unauthorized DVD from Facets....

Correct, it's the only Zulawski film unavailable in any home video format. I've seen the TV broadcast and feel it would make an excellent release at some point but at the moment "On The Silver Globe" seems to be the only title in Zulawski's filmography generating interest.

While I agree "Possesion" is well known on forums such as this, I honestly feel "On The Silver Globe" would would sell the same amount if not slightly less than the former.

[David M.]

It would be great to put Boris Godunov out there - I know Andrzej really wants there to be a home release. Hopefully some day... it's gratifying to put out better encoded versions of films that have already been released, but many times more so to make something available for the first time.

[Psicosis]

Also, does anyone know anything about "Matière noire"? Supposedly it's a new Zulawski-film in production development...

Marc Guidoni on "Matière noire".

You are also a film producer. Currently you are working with Andrzej Żuławski on his latest film.

We are currently working on his next feature film. I'm superstitious, as is Andrzej Żuławski. We don't like to talk about it too much, because that can bring bad luck. The film will be shot in French, in France, in Lyon. But it will be very universal. I hope it can also appeal to Polish audiences. We want it to be a co-production. We are looking for a Polish co-producer. I hope we can also get support from the Polish Film Institute. The project is called "Matière noire". It will be an excellent film. The screenplay is fantastic.

The title translates to "Black Matter" and according to http://video.fondivina.com/front/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; the running time is approximately 2 hours and will be shot in 35mm. Sounds familiar, I think this may be Zulawski's grand finale.

[McCrutchy]

Just as an advisory, all of the Mondo Vision releases so far are OOS on Amazon as of right now (except the Premium Edition of L'amour braque) and only available on the Marketplace. This may be the final time to get these releases at reasonable prices.

[R0lf]

I hope this delay from Mondo is because they are about to announce a change over to Blu-ray.

[fdm]

Just as an advisory, rare-collector-dvds, one of the sellers (and the only one with decent pricing it seems) did a great job of packing them up for me when each originally came out. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. (For those of you like myself that shive a git about the condition things arrive at your mailbox.)

[MichaelB]

Firmly seconded - I've used them for all my Mondo Vision orders. Really fast delivery too.

[perkizitore]

I haven't seen Szamanka yet, is it as good as the other three releases?

[McCrutchy]

Just as an advisory, rare-collector-dvds, one of the sellers (and the only one with decent pricing it seems) did a great job of packing them up for me when each originally came out. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. (For those of you like myself that shive a git about the condition things arrive at your mailbox.)

Firmly seconded - I've used them for all my Mondo Vision orders. Really fast delivery too.

Good. That's who I ordered Szamanka from; their prices are better than Amazon.com as well.