British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[rossbirks]

I saw Out of the Blue for the first time because of this release, always heard about it but was waiting for the inevitable boutique disc, and it absolutely knocked my socks off. I'm still working my way through the labyrinth of features on the BFI edition, there's so much of it! I pre-ordered and paid full price but still think it's a steal. If you're a fan of Hopper it's a no brainer. It's a real celebration and deep dive into him as a filmmaker with tons of archival interviews and new retrospective interviews with his contemporaries and fans. I think this is the best film he directed. I doubt it's about to sell out just yet but if you're on the fence, jump off with both feet. One of my favourite releases from the past few years without a doubt.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by wabrit

I'm more concerned that there are no HD releases for anything beyond the usual Truffaut suspects.

To be fair, I wouldn't call The Soft Skin one of his "usual suspect" films.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by mande2013

To be fair, I wouldn't call The Soft Skin one of his "usual suspect" films.

Seeing as it's one of the few that Criterion have also released on Blu-Ray in the States, it probably qualifies as that now!

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Yami

Seeing as it's one of the few that Criterion have also released on Blu-Ray in the States, it probably qualifies as that now!

True. Fair enough.

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Yami

Seeing as it's one of the few that Criterion have also released on Blu-Ray in the States, it probably qualifies as that now!

Yep time was it was a relatively obscure Truffaut, but has been well served by physical media. Unlike La Chambre Verte for example.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by mande2013

To be fair, I wouldn't call The Soft Skin one of his "usual suspect" films.

And what about Anne & Muriel, is that a usual suspect?

[Nedoflanders]

Play for Today Vol. 3 appears to be coming out on 11th April now: https://shop.bfi.org.uk/play-for-tod...y-box-set.html

[echouphere]

sorry if this has been mentioned somewhere before, but has there been any indication that BFI will re-issue more of the Ozu titles with new restorations like they did with Tokyo Story?

[mmarczi]

Originally Posted by echouphere

sorry if this has been mentioned somewhere before, but has there been any indication that BFI will re-issue more of the Ozu titles with new restorations like they did with Tokyo Story?

There have been indications of the exact opposite. Ben Stoddart has pretty much said that they currently have no intentions of adding more Japanese titles to their library nor upgrading existing ones when I recently asked him, and he didn't sound like that's likely to change any time soon. I wouldn't look to BFI for any more Japanese titles.

[Razorhead]

Originally Posted by mmarczi

There have been indications of the exact opposite. Ben Stoddart has pretty much said that they currently have no intentions of adding more Japanese titles to their library nor upgrading existing ones when I recently asked him, and he didn't sound like that's likely to change any time soon. I wouldn't look to BFI for any more Japanese titles.

A real shame, you'd think an Ozu boxset would be a hit.

[James78]

A true landmark in the history of Black British film, SHOOT THE MESSENGER, a 2006 BBC Films production directed by Ngozi Onwurah (Welcome II the Terrordome), is presented on Blu-ray for the first time, released on 28 March by the BFI. Special features include three short films by the director and an illustrated booklet.

Shoot the Messenger (2006) clip - on BFI Blu-ray from 28 March 2022 | BFI - YouTube

After reading a report that Black pupils from inner city schools are being failed by the education system, IT consultant Joe Pascale (David Oyelowo, Selma) becomes a teacher at a secondary school in South London with the aim of challenging the system to break the biased culture. Joe’s use of discriminatory methods to ensure Black students are given extra tuition over their white counterparts and his outdated use of humiliation leads to rebellion among his pupils, one of whom falsely accuses him of assault. Publicity and media attention follow Joe who finds himself branded a racist and it is only after a tumultuous journey of self-discovery that he comes to the understanding that race and cultural identity are merely a state of mind.

Special features

• Three short films by Ngozi Onwurah: The Body Beautiful (1990, 24 mins): an examination of the real-life relationship between the director and her mother, Madge
• Flight of the Swan (1992, 12 mins): a young girl leaves her Nigerian village for the cold, harsh landscape of England
• White Men are Cracking Up (1994, 20 mins): traces the last day in the life of a white detective, obsessed with a Black ‘street goddess’
• Who We Are: Filmmaker Forum with Akua Gyamfi, Fiona Lamptey, Stella Nwimo and Delia René (2020, 66 mins): four women creatives explore Black British film in a series curated by We Are Parable.
• *** First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with essays by Angela Moneke, Dwain Brandy, Ann Ogidi, Jan Asante and Grace Barber-Plentie; credits and notes on the special features.

Product details
RRP: £19.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1440 / 15 / UK / 2006 / colour / 89 minutes / English language, with optional subtitles for the Deaf and partial hearing / original aspect ratio 1.78:1 / BD50: 1080i, 25fps, PCM 2.0 stereo audio (48kHz/24-bit)

[bleedandtrim]

Might be of use to someone here, but CeX Tottenham Court Rd. had a bunch of select BFI BDs in bulk going for £5/6, including Peppermint Soda, Film Not Film and Rashomon. They seem absolutely brand new so I'm guessing stock liquidation or some pilfering.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by bleedandtrim

Might be of use to someone here, but CeX Tottenham Court Rd. had a bunch of select BFI BDs in bulk going for £5/6, including Peppermint Soda, Film Not Film and Rashomon. They seem absolutely brand new so I'm guessing stock liquidation or some pilfering.

The one next to Googe Street Station or the one inbetween Oxford circus & Tottenham Court Road?

[SimBobHard]

Any news yet on what features are included on the upcoming Truffaut releases?

[Raggady_jack]

Get Carter UHD coming later this year. Really excited for this!

https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/get-cart...-michael-caine

[Richard A]

Originally Posted by Raggady_jack

Get Carter UHD coming according to Facebook.

BFI website article here.

[rapta]

Holy shit! Such a great title for BFI to get hold of. I was going to get the WB disc with the correct audio but now I’ll wait and get this instead! Reminds me I still need to get The Italian Job too…

[bleedandtrim]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

The one next to Googe Street Station or the one inbetween Oxford circus & Tottenham Court Road?

The former.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by rapta

Holy shit! Such a great title for BFI to get hold of. I was going to get the WB disc with the correct audio but now I’ll wait and get this instead! Reminds me I still need to get The Italian Job too…

I'm pretty sure the UK bluray was re-released with the correct audio a long time ago...but no doubt the 4K is worth waiting for.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

I'm pretty sure the UK bluray was re-released with the correct audio a long time ago...but no doubt the 4K is worth waiting for.

Yes it was, but I was hesitant because I didn't want to order the wrong disc online so never actually bought it! Don't have to worry anymore as BFI will definitely have fixed it (and restored the whole film as well, and presumably add new extras too).