British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

I'm absolutely not trying to rubbish anyone's opinion, but I'm struggling to see why anyone would choose to watch the Concentration Camps Survey.

Perhaps there's something I'm not realising about this release? What am I missing?

Because it is historically important and this is the first time it has been available as it was intended by Bernstein
And more than anything else it is a lesson on mans inhumanity to man, what we are capable of and to warn against it and other genocides ever happening again.

[UpsetSmiley]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

I'm absolutely not trying to rubbish anyone's opinion, but I'm struggling to see why anyone would choose to watch the Concentration Camps Survey.

Perhaps there's something I'm not realising about this release? What am I missing?

I thought this as well at first, but I did pick it up yesterday, part of that decision was me not knowing enough about the holocaust. I've read about the raw nature of the film and I'll probably be watching with my fingers over my eyes.

What piqued my interest was how this is a previously unreleased film, not a talking heads documentary (not the band, I like those guys ).

[stigdu]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

I'm absolutely not trying to rubbish anyone's opinion, but I'm struggling to see why anyone would choose to watch the Concentration Camps Survey.

Perhaps there's something I'm not realising about this release? What am I missing?

It's been incredibly well-reviewed, and both a factually and historically important episode in world history.

On a personal level, as I said above, I've visited many of the historically significant places in Poland (concentration camps, Hitler's hideout), and find this period fascinating.

[tenia]

It's like Night and Fog to me.
It's not a fascination with this kind of horror or whateer, but to be more educated about the subject which, to me, is extremely important in mankind history.

And what better time to watch it than a week before the 1st turn of the French presidential election where the far right is likely to be either first or second (but will likely never pass the 2nd turn).

[billlythekid]

You only have to see the recent news about the camps re-appearing in Russia for gay people to understand the importance of this film.
We watch so we can educate ourselves and learn from the past.

As horrifying as the doc is it should probably be compulsory viewing in schools.

[rapta]

*Sigh*

So I ordered the Lino Brocka set from Amazon when it was under £20, and the first copy arrived with dents to 3 of the corners, so of course I sent it back for a replacement. The second copy came with even worse damage, so I'm having to return it for a refund.

Looks like I'll have to wait a while longer to get the Brocka set, or try all over again. It's slightly more expensive from a marketplace seller but Fulfilled by Amazon so could just arrive in the same state. When will Amazon learn to package box sets sufficiently?

[TomN245]

Originally Posted by rapta

*Sigh*

So I ordered the Lino Brocka set from Amazon when it was under £20, and the first copy arrived with dents to 3 of the corners, so of course I sent it back for a replacement. The second copy came with even worse damage, so I'm having to return it for a refund.

Looks like I'll have to wait a while longer to get the Brocka set, or try all over again. It's slightly more expensive from a marketplace seller but Fulfilled by Amazon so could just arrive in the same state. When will Amazon learn to package box sets sufficiently?

The postman dropped my set infront of me (he had too much in his hands). Still in great condition. I finished watching it last night, and it is one of the best purchases I have made. The films are fantastic, they look incredible and the extras are really good. Particularly the Signed by Lino Brocka documentary.

[VONi]

I'm dying to get my hands on the Lino Brocka set, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend £25-30 for it because I'm gonna get Criterion's WCP vol. 2 eventually. Is the set limited?

[VONi]

Originally Posted by tenia

It's like Night and Fog to me.
It's not a fascination with this kind of horror or whateer, but to be more educated about the subject which, to me, is extremely important in mankind history.

And what better time to watch it than a week before the 1st turn of the French presidential election where the far right is likely to be either first or second (but will likely never pass the 2nd turn).

It should be compulsory to show these on history classes.

[Show spoiler](Also keeping my thumbs up for Emmanuel Macron so I can get better blu-ray deals from UK & US )

[rapta]

Originally Posted by VONi

I'm dying to get my hands on the Lino Brocka set, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend £25-30 for it because I'm gonna get Criterion's WCP vol. 2 eventually. Is the set limited?

It's only £20 at Amazon at the moment. I might gamble again and try one more time to get a copy in relatively mint condition. I just wish BFI would stop using flimsy packaging for their box sets, and/or Amazon would stop using flimsy packaging for their deliveries.

[VONi]

Originally Posted by rapta

It's only £20 at Amazon at the moment. I might gamble again and try one more time to get a copy in relatively mint condition. I just wish BFI would stop using flimsy packaging for their box sets, and/or Amazon would stop using flimsy packaging for their deliveries.

Dangit, had to order it. I've been very lucky with my BFI sets so far, so here's hoping it arrives in good condition.

[magnetiques]

fwiw amazon got the brocka set to me in abolutely perfect condition

i'm actually really, really wanting the GCC Factual Survey release but I don't want to pay much more than when it was 17-18 quid on amazon.

also can't wait for minute bodies. keep it up bfi.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by rapta

It's only £20 at Amazon at the moment. I might gamble again and try one more time to get a copy in relatively mint condition. I just wish BFI would stop using flimsy packaging for their box sets, and/or Amazon would stop using flimsy packaging for their deliveries.

I spent just a bit more and went with base.com (before these even "better" deals appeared from Amazon) for the Brocka set. They do tend to pack pretty well, but just like my initial order from them with the Dreyer set, the package arrived with a big corner dent. Thankfully this time it was only the shipping packaging that was damaged, the box set itself was fine. (It could have easily been both.)

[Gerby]

My Lino Brocka set arrived in perfect condition from Amazon this week, looking forward to watching them both & the documentary this weekend.

[nitin]

Got my Brocka set, looks pretty good. And this is obviously not the BFI's fault but Jesus Christ Ritrovata, enough already with the he same colour timing on every film you restore!

[MarcusZoller]

Went to the BFI store on South Bank today, it's like heaven, only more expensive. Still, nice to check out what's available to then search out online. They had about 10 copies of the German Concentration Camps Factual Study in there, plus loads of Arrow, Artificial Eye Curzon and Criterion too. Well worth a visit if you're in London.

[sjt]

"it's like heaven, only more expensive"

Welcome to London......

[MarcusZoller]

Originally Posted by sjt

"it's like heaven, only more expensive"

Welcome to London......

Very true, but when the Criterion's are £21 plus and the Studio Ghibli's are £19.99... they're over the top expensive. Their in store catalogue is very nice though, I'll pop back in when I have more cash to splash.

[gouryella]

Pioneers of African-American Cinema is back at £19.99 (says back-ordered) from a third part seller fulfilled by Amazon.

[magnetiques]

Factual Survey is £19.34 w/ prime as well (or extra 10p sold by amazon and eligible for evening delivery etc)

*lino brocka set 20 quid again too