Criterion and IFC

[Harmonov]

You can physically see Morris in Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe, if that helps

This is true. I would like to see his films as well.

That is a great clip. Herzog is a madman.

[ianungstad]

Ian - do you think the Sundance Selects will go to Criterion? I would be all for this since Morris should definitely be in the Collection. I've been hoping that Criterion has snapped up The Thin Blue Line, but Mulvaney has told me twice that they hadn't. Perhaps this acquisition of Tabloid, should it go to Criterion, jump starts negotiations for TBL.

Certified Copy is a "Sundance Selects" title. I think the Playlist blog confirmed that Criterion would be releasing the dvd/blu eventually...so Sundance Selects/IFC Midnight/IFC Films doesn't seem to mean anything as far as home video goes.

I'm sure Criterion will get around to the older Errol Morris titles eventually.

[swo17]

I think the Playlist blog confirmed that Criterion would be releasing the dvd/blu [of Certified Copy] eventually...so Sundance Selects/IFC Midnight/IFC Films doesn't seem to mean anything as far as home video goes.

The Playlist later retracted that story (apparently they had read too much into a Twitter entry) but I'd still consider Certified Copy in play, if not a foregone conclusion.

[Harmonov]

So Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams is screening at the Indiana University Cinema on April 4 and IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring is going to be there to lecture as well. I intend on asking him if he can shed some light on their relationship with Criterion. I will ask about Tabloid among others...

[Tom Hagen]

Paranoid Park is still my top request for this releationship.

[Jgh8xxx]

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, released in Region 1 only in its incorrect aspect ratio and released nowhere worldwide in HD is my absolute most desired #1--and an IFC property! What about this one?

[bainbridgezu]

Harmonov, would you ask about The Last Mistress? It feels like it's been "probably coming" for years; given the present trend (to some degree) of revisiting the same directors (Melville, Malle) in months not too far apart, I wonder if Fat Girl on BD bodes well for this film?

[ianungstad]

IFC has picked up North American rights to Pina, the 3D dance documentary by Wim Wenders. Even in 2-D the trailer for this looked fantastic. Wouldn't be surprised if Criterion eventually releases it. The reviews out of Berlin were pretty positive.

Here is the trailer for those who haven't seen it

[felipe]

Paranoid Park is still my top request for this releationship.

Second that.

[JMULL222]

Consider it a major fuck up if Criterion turns down "Super". An absolutely incredible film.

[rrenault]

What about Certified Copy and Rivette's The Duchess of Langeais? Both are IFC, and a couple of Chabrol's most recent releases are also IFC films.

[MoonlitKnight]

Paranoid Park is still my top request for this releationship.

I'm still going with "My Winnipeg."

[Harmonov]

There's a very strong chance that I will miss this event tonight. God damn it. If I'm able to make it, I will be sure to ask about IFC's back catalogue and if Criterion has any intention of tackling any of those titles, especially with directors they already hav an established relationship with, i.e Van Sant, Maddin, etc.

[RyanGallagher]

IFC has picked up North American rights to Pina, the 3D dance documentary by Wim Wenders. Even in 2-D the trailer for this looked fantastic. Wouldn't be surprised if Criterion eventually releases it. The reviews out of Berlin were pretty positive.

I think it's the Sundance Selects arm of IFC, have any of those titles made it to Criterion so far?

[Harmonov]

So, I did make it to the screening of Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams this evening. I asked Mr. Sehring to shed some light on their relationship with Criterion and tried to drag some names of films out they might be working on. He said there's a pretty long list of them, but didn't delve too much into them despite my trying. He confirmed Criterion will be releasing Pina. He hopes that they will be releasing Cave of Forgotten Dreams, but Becker has balked at it. Certified Copy will not be released by Criterion...at least at this time. Becker considers it minor Kiarostami. Another trilogy of confirmations = Errol Morris' Gates of Heaven, Vernon, Florida and the Thin Blue Line will be happening. Tabloid is still possible, but Becker and Turrell aren't sure it's major Morris. Mr. Sehring believes that opinion will change, though. And hold on to your hats, Criterionites - Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture will be released by Criterion. I can almost hear the collective sighs of this forum. He talked at length about the major restoration of Nolan's Following and that's what's holding that up. He also mentioned...4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days. He mentioned IFC and Criterion would work on films together of directors Criterion has already released, but went no further than that. Perhaps Van Sant, perhaps Maddin. Any other guesses?

I was hoping that I would get more info out of him, but it doesn't seem like this relationship will sour anytime soon. Mr. Sehring used to work for Janus and sat on the Criterion board until IFC deemed it a possible conflict of interest.

I hope there is something of interest in this for you guys...

[knives]

So Becker is secretly Bernard Berkman?

[ianungstad]

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.

I really don't get Tiny Furniture. I didn't think it was anything special at all. It wasn't a bad film but I was left baffled by all the love the film gets. It seems to me that Lena Dunham has a good publicist and the fact that her parents are good friends with Scott Rudin and other folks in the industry seem to be a bigger factor in her rise in the industry much more so than the quality of her work.

[Harmonov]

So Becker is secretly Bernard Berkman?

Apparently.

[ianungstad]

He mentioned IFC and Criterion would work on films together of directors Criterion has already released, but went no further than that. Perhaps Van Sant, perhaps Maddin. Any other guesses?

The Wind that Shakes the Barley (Ken Loach).

[zedz]

Oh boy. What fun we're all going to have beating things up with that 'major' and 'minor' stick.

[knives]

Border Radio is major Anders.

[Jeff]

...Cave of Forgotten Dreams, but Becker has balked at it.
...Certified Copy will not be released by Criterion...at least at this time. Becker considers it minor Kiarostami.
...Tabloid is still possible, but Becker and Turrell aren't sure it's major Morris.

What? These are some of the best-reviewed films of each of these directors' careers.

Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture will be released by Criterion.

[zedz]

Major Barbara is major Barbara.

[Tribe]

Thanks for the info, Harmonov. Now...let's see how many on Facebook try to break this news without attribution.

[RyanGallagher]

Thanks for the info, Harmonov. Now...let's see how many on Facebook try to break this news without attribution.

When I write about it, I'll be sure to attribute it to the Forum. I usually do, when appropriate.