Oscar Micheaux - The Complete Collection (1920-1940) (Kino Classics)

[MifuneFan]

Kino, in association with The Library of Congress, will be releasing a Complete Collection of Oscar Micheaux's surviving films on Blu-ray on February 11th. Seven of the films included will be sourced from new restorations. This looks like a great collection, and a nice companion to Kino's Pioneers of African American Cinema release. Additionally, Kino will also be releasing a 2021 documentary, Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking, on DVD, the same day.

https://kinolorber.com/product/oscar...ete-collection

In this unprecedented undertaking, Kino Classics, in cooperation with the Library of Congress and several international film archives, pays homage to one of cinema’s most historically important artists: Oscar Micheaux (1884-1951). Operating on shoestring budgets completely outside the studio system, Micheaux explored the Black experience with nuance and depth, often challenging the negative stereotypes so commonly portrayed in films of the era.

This five-disc collection showcases the director’s entire surviving body of work, including seven new restorations:

• Within Our Gates
• The Symbol of the Unconquered
• Body and Soul
• God’s Step Children
• Veiled Aristocrats
• Murder in Harlem
• The Notorious Elinor Lee

It also showcases Micheaux’s rarely seen genre films, such as Lying Lips, Underworld, and Swing! from the best surviving film elements.

Extras:

• Introductions by series curator Rhea L. Combs
• Printed booklet of film notes
• Theatrical trailers for select films
• 2024 Theatrical re-release trailer

Oscar Micheaux and the Birth of Black Independent Cinema – Official Trailer - YouTube

[Watershipdownisgood]

I'm so excited for this as the earliest African American film I have seen is Nothing But a Man which was 1964.

[Egbert Souse]

Awesome news, Micheaux's films in the Pioneers set are among the highlights. The fact this set uses newer restorations is exciting as the previous set largely was "as-is" with only the most problematic damage fixed for most films.

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

I'm so excited for this as the earliest African American film I have seen is Nothing But a Man which was 1964.

While Nothing But a Man is indeed a masterpiece, Michael Roemer is a German Jewish immigrant (his family fled for the US when he was a child).

[suspiciouscoffee]

Wow, looking forward to this. I’ve only seen Body and Soul, which was great, excited to check out the rest.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Awesome news, Micheaux's films in the Pioneers set are among the highlights. The fact this set uses newer restorations is exciting as the previous set largely was "as-is" with only the most problematic damage fixed for most films.



While Nothing But a Man is indeed a masterpiece, Michael Roemer is a German Jewish immigrant (his family fled for the US when he was a child).

Yeah it is an African American film, but the film wasn't directed by an African American man I keep forgetting about that a lot, but it is definitely a film that needs to be seen by way way more people.

[Zepfanman]

Any early reviews for the set yet? I'm curious if The Darktown Revue (1931) will be included.

[McCrutchy]

I wish Kino had included Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking in the Blu-ray set.

[Areyakiddin]

Just received my copy today.

[Nick Manofredda]

Is it region-locked?
I live in Italy and i don't have a region free player...

[Areyakiddin]

Originally Posted by Nick Manofredda

Is it region-locked?
I live in Italy and i don't have a region free player...

Region A/B/C is printed on all the discs, so it should be region-free. Although, I can't test it for sure.