Denis Villeneuve's first features: "August 32nd on Earth" and "Maelstrom"

[zw94]

I am really hoping these will see a Blu-ray release in the near future, especially with the popularity of Villeneuve in recent years (especially as an auteur).

August 32nd has an HD transfer thanks to "Elephant: The memory of Québec cinema". They've been creating HD transfers for several Quebec films in recent years, but they have only made the film available for digital rental (can't even own it digitally through legal means). There was once a limited DVD release back in the 90s (no English subs, though, and limited to 4000 copies).

Maelstrom has an OOP DVD from Alliance (now Entertainment One) in Canada with English subs, but it is very difficult to find and expensive if you do manage to track a copy down. No idea if an HD transfer exists (if there is one, it's not available to the public).

You'd think with the director's popularity there would be a resurgence of his older works. Could Criterion possibly get the rights to August 32nd on Earth? Their love for international, indie, and auteur cinema seems like this would be a slam dunk. Entertainment One could theoretically put out at least a reprint of the original DVD if not a Blu-ray.

Obviously, he has some shorts (Next Floor is available online), and he also contributed to another feature with other Quebecois directors ("Cosmos"). But these two films are his only ones not on Blu-ray somewhere in the world.