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Aki Kaurismaki Collection coming October 9th

Caligula wrote:Aki Kaurismaki Collection coming October 9th

Any ideas as to what will be included?

Ten discs is enough for a complete survey (since most Kaurismäki films are well under 90 mins and some nearer 70), although when Artificial Eye attempted a four-volume DVD overview a decade or so ago they left out I Hired A Contract Killer.

Contents:

DISC 1
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
CALAMARI UNION

DISC 2
SHADOWS IN PARADISE
DRIFTING CLOUDS
OO AINA IHMINEN (short film)

DISC 3
HAMLET GOES BUSINESS
LA VIE BOHEME

DISC 4
ARIEL
MATCH FACTORY GIRL
VALIMO

DISC 5
LENINGRAD COWBOYS
LENINGRAD COWBOYS GO AMERICA

DISC 6
TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW
THESE BOOTS (short film)
THOSE WERE THE DAYS (short film)
THRU THE WIRE (short film)
ROCKY IV (short film)
RICH LITTLE BITCH (short film)
DOGS HAVE NO HELL (short film)

DISC 7
TAKE CARE OF YOU SCARF, TATJANA
JUHA

DISC 8
THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST
LIGHTS IN THE DUSK

DISC 9
LE HAVRE

DISC 10
THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE

If I'm not very much mistaken, the Kaurismäki box is damn near complete aside from I Hired a Contract Killer - presumably problematic rightswise as a UK co-production.

But we're not missing much: I enjoyed what Kaurismäki did to my native north London, but it's easily one of his weakest films.

domino harvey wrote:Contents:VALIMO

Valimo is also a short film - only 4 mins.

MichaelB wrote:If I'm not very much mistaken, the Kaurismäki box is damn near complete aside from I Hired a Contract Killer - presumably problematic rightswise as a UK co-production.

But we're not missing much: I enjoyed what Kaurismäki did to my native north London, but it's easily one of his weakest films.

I can't see Guimarães the part of the portuguese portfolio film Centro Historico shared with Pedro Costa Victor Erice and Manoel De Oliveira

NABOB OF NOWHERE wrote:I can't see Guimarães the part of the portuguese portfolio film Centro Historico shared with Pedro Costa Victor Erice and Manoel De Oliveira

Late reply here, but: It may just be that the rightsholder won't license it out separately. The Costa segment (Sweet Exorcist) doesn't seem to have been released separately, even though it would've been a natural fit on the Blu/DVD releases of Horse Money. (Costa made the short while shooting the feature, and it's mainly a variation of the climactic elevator scene.) In the U.S., at least, the whole omnibus is available digitally through iTunes and Amazon Video.

I recently purchased The Aki Kaurismäki Collection blu ray and watched Calamari Union today. I noticed that there were no opening titles on the screen. The disc subtitles would appear (for example "Villealfa Films Presents" or "Written and Directed by") to translate non existent words. Anyone else have the set and seeing similar things? I cannot believe it is a specific disc error, but have not found any reviews commenting on this. Thanks.

I don't remember from seeing the film a few years back, but YouTube has two different versions. Likely they used a clean version and no one noticed the absence.
With titles
Without

Is anyone able to comment on how the transfers in this set compare to the Criterion discs for La vie de bohème, Le Havre, and The Other Side of Hope? In other words, is there a reason to keep the Criterion editions other than the extras?

Is anyone able to comment on how the transfers in this set compare to the Criterion discs for La vie de bohème, Le Havre, and The Other Side of Hope? In other words, is there a reason to keep the Criterion editions other than the extras?

I'd say the transfers are almost identical, plus you pretty much get his whole filmography into the bargain.

They're pretty much guaranteed to be the same source masters, supplied directly by Kaurismäki's company and presumably personally approved by the man himself.

does anyone know if this is out of print? copies seem to have dried up everywhere. naturally right as Kaurismaki is having his moment in the spotlight again

ryannichols7 wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 4:46 am does anyone know if this is out of print? copies seem to have dried up everywhere. naturally right as Kaurismaki is having his moment in the spotlight again

Unfortunately it seems so, unless they reprint it (as they did for the Atom Egoyan set recently). I was lucky enough to get a copy from HMV a few months ago, and when it arrived it was a shop-spoiled copy haphazardly re-wrapped in plastic wrap. I complained, intending to return it and re-order it, but noticed it was 'Out of stock' indefinitely and it has now changed to 'Sold out', so I wisely hung onto it regardless (and they refunded a few quid as an apology).

Going to assume that means it's gone, at least for the time being! I would say 'surely they'd reprint', but this is Curzon we're talking about. Was just moaning about them on another forum about clinging onto rights to Haneke and Denis titles without any Blu-ray releases...

Their recent trend has been to release an overpriced box set with the most awkward timing, and at least a third of the discs are badly encoded (they've been hit and miss on that front for years though).

so I just miraculously nailed a copy of this from Orbit, so there are either copies floating around or they are indeed reprinting it. what was even sweeter was including Fallen Leaves in the same order! posting here in case anyone is looking for a copy, be on the lookout

Curzon seems to be stepping up their game a little bit though? the newer Kieslowski, Von Trier, etc boxes seem to be well liked. hopefully they can hit those Denis films soon

This is currently back in stock at both HMV and Amazon. Not sure if this is an actual repressing by Curzon, or whether they discovered a few boxes of unsold stock somewhere.

Tuppence wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2024 10:45 pm This is currently back in stock at both HMV and Amazon. Not sure if this is an actual repressing by Curzon, or whether they discovered a few boxes of unsold stock somewhere.

it's definitely a full on reprint, copies have been fairly in stock since my previous post. glad this is the case, the box is an absolute steal and I'm glad Kaurismaki is getting the love still after how wonderful Fallen Leaves was