British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Yami]

Phenomenal line-up from the BFI. Not only Out of the Blue, one of my most anticipated releases in years, but also Melville, Mike Leigh, and Bergman on UHD? Yes please.

I'll be very interested in what 4K releases the BFI come out with after that. I don't think any other Bergman films have been restored in 4K and I feel fairly confident in saying that it's not going to be a Kurosawa (chances of Toho allowing a foreign release before domestic? I'm going to go with nil.)

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Yami

Phenomenal line-up from the BFI. Not only Out of the Blue, one of my most anticipated releases in years, but also Melville, Mike Leigh, and Bergman on UHD? Yes please.

I'll be very interested in what 4K releases the BFI come out with after that. I don't think any other Bergman films have been restored in 4K and I feel fairly confident in saying that it's not going to be a Kurosawa (chances of Toho allowing a foreign release before domestic? I'm going to go with nil.)

You're right in thinking BFI won't be doing another Kurosawa anytime soon, especially in 4K. Whenever I've asked about upgrading any of their Kurosawa DVD titles they've sounded quite pessimistic about it all - like you say, Toho hold the cards with those ones. I imagine Criterion will have better luck (and if they do, I hope they make their set Region Free).

I reckon one of the next UHD titles may be Persona, or another key Bergman (Wild Strawberries, perhaps). And maybe they'll do something BFI restored, but it'd have to be a biggie, so I'm not sure what. I suppose they could get something else from Paramount if they aren't planning on releasing it themselves...Nashville comes to mind, for example?

[Yami]

The Seventh Seal was the only one of the Bergman restorations done in 4K and I would be very surprised if Svensk Filmindustri will have had any redone less than 3 years out from their big Bergman centenery celebrations.

[minister_x]

Nashville on UHD would be fantastic! Given I've just splashed out on the Imprint release of Days of Heaven, Sod's Law says that will be coming from a UK boutique label - although if the BFI did a UHD that would be a no-brainer.

Would love it if they do a Film4 title like Trainspotting. Or go past Criterion again and do something like Monsoon Wedding or Paris, Texas (either of which would look beautiful).

[Yami]

FYI the BFI have already denied having any home video rights to Nashville.

[Rutger Lundgren]

BFI really delivered this time, damn. I almost wish that there wasn't as much good stuff releasing in a single month.

[Si Parallel Universe]

BFI have ruled out any Kurosawa so that takes care of Seven Samurai et al and I read something earlier today that went along the lines that even the access fees for other titles such as salo would make a project such as that cost prohibitive.

BFI don't have Nashville either.

If I were to hazard a guess at a 4K UHD title or titles I would go for something like a Woodfall type title to be somewhere in the next batch of announcements.

[Gacivory]

I hate everyone for dashing my Seven Samurai 4K dreams. I’m gonna go fight Toho.

[magnetiques]

blockbuster month, holy shit

n1 BFI

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Yami

The Seventh Seal was the only one of the Bergman restorations done in 4K and I would be very surprised if Svensk Filmindustri will have had any redone less than 3 years out from their big Bergman centenery celebrations.

Originally Posted by Yami

FYI the BFI have already denied having any home video rights to Nashville.

In that case, what could be the next UHD titles I wonder? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but if they managed to license Invasion of the Body Snatchers, I can't imagine a title like Days of Heaven wouldn't be in their sights...

[DefLeppard]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Nashville on UHD would be fantastic! Given I've just splashed out on the Imprint release of Days of Heaven, Sod's Law says that will be coming from a UK boutique label - although if the BFI did a UHD that would be a no-brainer.

Would love it if they do a Film4 title like Trainspotting. Or go past Criterion again and do something like Monsoon Wedding or Paris, Texas (either of which would look beautiful).

+1 for these two but not watched any Mira Nair's work and no plans either.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by rapta

In that case, what could be the next UHD titles I wonder? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but if they managed to license Invasion of the Body Snatchers, I can't imagine a title like Days of Heaven wouldn't be in their sights...

Perhaps, but it's worth noting that 3 of the 4 Paramount titles they've licenced this year were all released by Olive in the US, so were probably far more attainable than more prestigious Paramount titles like Days of Heaven. Given Paramount sought to reclaim the likes of that and Nashville in the US, I'd be surprised to see them sub-licence either over here. Targets is probably a different proposition; I wouldn't be surprised if Criterion have it for the US.

[DefLeppard]

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

BFI have ruled out any Kurosawa so that takes care of Seven Samurai et al and I read something earlier today that went along the lines that even the access fees for other titles such as salo would make a project such as that cost prohibitive.

BFI don't have Nashville either.

If I were to hazard a guess at a 4K UHD title or titles I would go for something like a Woodfall type title to be somewhere in the next batch of announcements.

Yeah, esp Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960).

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by DefLeppard

Yeah, esp Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960).

Yeah kind of what I was thinking. It was either that or a Taste of Honey that would be the most obvious choice

[huntauk]

Fantastic slate.

Body Snatchers, Out Of The Blue and Naked are all day 1, as is Seventh Seal UHD. I'm only interested in Wild Strawberries from vol 2 (aside from Seventh Seal but don't need to be buying it twice), hope it gets an individual release after the set sells out.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I hate everyone for dashing my Seven Samurai 4K dreams. I’m gonna go fight Toho.

They will probably sic Godzilla on you

[Scottishguy]

Finally Naked gets a localised release!

[NeilZ]

Al the Kurosawa in 4k is just a matter of when not if. Basically have to wait for Toho to do domestic releases. Considering they’ve remastered the bulk of his films it’s surely coming someday. After that Criterion and BFI can follow up with their releases.

[Darby1985]

Originally Posted by rapta

In that case, what could be the next UHD titles I wonder? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but if they managed to license Invasion of the Body Snatchers, I can't imagine a title like Days of Heaven wouldn't be in their sights...

The Paramount Days Of Heaven is region free. You've been talking about wanting it on bluray for years, just import!

[CelestialAgent]

Imprint are also doing an Australian release