English, August restoration, possible DVD/blu

[ravenus]

https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/...w/63736479.cms

So, are you saying there is no hope for the film?
There’s a tiny sliver of hope. The Taiwan filmmaker, Edward Yang, who was on the jury of one of the festivals where English, August won an award, loved the film and asked the Taiwan Film Archives to buy a 35mm print. There is a low contrast print with the French television network La Sept-Arte that co-produced the film. I am planning to scan these digitally, frame-by-frame at 8K, and re-create a new archival digital negative. Then, make 35mm prints and also create elements for online streaming, DVD and whatever the new formats are.
English, August was the first feature to have digital sound. Vikram Joglekar took an enormous leap to record sound in digital. I’ve made sure I’ve backed up the sound in every possible way. The sound design is also intact as is the music by D Wood and Joglekar.

But isn’t the process of restoration very expensive?
Yes, the real issue is the cost of restoration. It is much higher than what it costs to make the movie. So, that is a stumbling block. There are no organisations or funds I can access for support. I really have to fund it myself. I am hoping to do that in small steps.