British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[RossyG]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

The BFI will begin doing free independent film screenings from next year.

https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi...186006.article

The cynic in me thinks this’ll be a good idea in theory, not so good in practice.

[CelestialAgent]

Picturehouse started doing free screenings last year for members through their Kia sponsorship. The free screenings usually sell out, whereas most paid screenings tend to be pretty empty. So it’s not necessarily a loss leader, but enough of a cinema experience for it to be the totality of most members’ cinema trips.

Vue have been doing BFI Presents screenings since last year, attempting to give a wider audience to BFI/Altitude/Vertigo/Picturehouse/Verve/Studio Soho titles. I’m often the only person, or at least one of the only people, to go to these screenings, even when they’re the only screening the film gets and it doesn’t get a Blu-ray.

I know some cities do occasionally get free screenings from MASSIVE, but they’re pretty irregular, while Showfilmfirst has pivoted away from films into general events. But we know from events like £3 tickets on National Cinema Day can be popular, but I don’t know how much they build retention, and so many indie films aren’t getting UK distribution or solely going direct to streaming.

[kmhofmann]

Originally Posted by fabio_p

BFI's Partie de Campagne can't be ordered from The Netherlands. Wonder why this is, it never happened with other BFI titles.

It's been happening with pretty much all BFI titles for a long time now, but Partie de Campagne might be one of the first that haven't become available even after release date.

Here's what I did: https://www.rarewaves.com/products/5...ie-de-campagne

[Razorhead]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Picturehouse started doing free screenings last year for members through their Kia sponsorship. The free screenings usually sell out, whereas most paid screenings tend to be pretty empty. So it’s not necessarily a loss leader, but enough of a cinema experience for it to be the totality of most members’ cinema trips.

Vue have been doing BFI Presents screenings since last year, attempting to give a wider audience to BFI/Altitude/Vertigo/Picturehouse/Verve/Studio Soho titles. I’m often the only person, or at least one of the only people, to go to these screenings, even when they’re the only screening the film gets and it doesn’t get a Blu-ray.

I know some cities do occasionally get free screenings from MASSIVE, but they’re pretty irregular, while Showfilmfirst has pivoted away from films into general events. But we know from events like £3 tickets on National Cinema Day can be popular, but I don’t know how much they build retention, and so many indie films aren’t getting UK distribution or solely going direct to streaming.

Making film more accessible is great but it isn't and can't ever be a fix to the long term decline of cinema going numbers. Meerkat Wednesdays is still effectively half price tickets 2 days a week but there's not exactly a huge rush there now either. You also see a lot of under 25 deals where tickets are heavily discounted but I do wonder the extent of take up on these deals given the prevalence of streaming with these age groups, seems like it's too little too late sadly.

[Django100]

HMV have dispatched 'Targets'.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by Razorhead

Making film more accessible is great but it isn't and can't ever be a fix to the long term decline of cinema going numbers. Meerkat Wednesdays is still effectively half price tickets 2 days a week but there's not exactly a huge rush there now either. You also see a lot of under 25 deals where tickets are heavily discounted but I do wonder the extent of take up on these deals given the prevalence of streaming with these age groups, seems like it's too little too late sadly.

These days with the young they have the double whammy of cost and the internet both counting against cinema viewing.

Remember when I was a teenager a couple of quid would get you the cinema ticket, popcorn and a fizzy drink plus they weren’t really strict at enforcing the 15 restriction (these was pre 12 days).

Today prices are much higher and you have alternatives like gaming (my day was a ZX Spectrum with the games on tape ), YouTube, other online content.

Okay these days the cinemas are much more plush but you are paying for the privilege.

[SilverBlueSnow]

The announced extras on the Ozu set are very good - commentaries by Tony Rayns , Adrian Martin and Jasper Sharp (don’t think I have heard him before). Tony and Adrian always have so much to say that adds to my appreciation.

I know BFI hinted at another Ozu release in 2024 - I am conflicted - I still think there is a chance of a Criterion box set.

[Bes30]

Originally Posted by The Hornets

These days with the young they have the double whammy of cost and the internet both counting against cinema viewing.

Remember when I was a teenager a couple of quid would get you the cinema ticket, popcorn and a fizzy drink plus they weren’t really strict at enforcing the 15 restriction (these was pre 12 days).

Today prices are much higher and you have alternatives like gaming (my day was a ZX Spectrum with the games on tape ), YouTube, other online content.

Okay these days the cinemas are much more plush but you are paying for the privilege.

Also, it might just be me, but the types of films released for younger people - certainly in the mainstream - are no way near as good as they used to be due to various factors.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by SilverBlueSnow

The announced extras on the Ozu set are very good - commentaries by Tony Rayns , Adrian Martin and Jasper Sharp (don’t think I have heard him before). Tony and Adrian always have so much to say that adds to my appreciation.

I know BFI hinted at another Ozu release in 2024 - I am conflicted - I still think there is a chance of a Criterion box set.

Jasper Sharp is the author of this:



& director of several documentaries including this (still need to get the companion book that Fab Press released), which Arrow released, among other things:

[Hollywoodnova]

Has there been any further update on the 3 for £20 sale items being dispatched?

[BobsonDugnutt]

Originally Posted by Hollywoodnova

Has there been any further update on the 3 for £20 sale items being dispatched?

I emailed the shop about it on the 13th Sep and got this response back on the 20th

Due to ongoing warehouse issues affecting our distribution partner, the BFI Shop is currently experiencing severe delays in receiving stock of many back catalogue DVDs and Blu-ray titles, including BFI releases. These delays are also affecting a number of other UK labels and retailers.

Unfortunately, this means we are still unable to fulfil many orders, including some from our recent 3 for £20 and Ozu special offers. We are working with our distribution partner to resolve this problem as soon as possible.

We are hugely sorry for any disappointment and inconvenience caused. We will of course be fulfilling orders as soon as we can. Please note that your complete order will be shipped once all the products in your order are in stock.

Please note that orders of new releases such as Gregory's Girl, Partie de Campagne, Gothic and Targets should not be affected.

Thank you for your understanding,

BFI Shop Team

[peschi]

Originally Posted by fabio_p

BFI's Partie de Campagne can't be ordered from The Netherlands. Wonder why this is, it never happened with other BFI titles.
Are people from countries, other than the UK, able to order?

Im from the Netherlands, and I can order it now.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by SilverBlueSnow

The announced extras on the Ozu set are very good - commentaries by Tony Rayns , Adrian Martin and Jasper Sharp (don’t think I have heard him before). Tony and Adrian always have so much to say that adds to my appreciation.

I know BFI hinted at another Ozu release in 2024 - I am conflicted - I still think there is a chance of a Criterion box set.

Jasper Sharp did a talk for Japan House in London earlier this year as part of their season of Ozu films. I watched the livestream of it and he went very over time and seemed like he didn't talk about half the things he wanted to so I'd imagine it'll be a packed commentary.

[Doomhunter]

Looking at the Kino dvd of The Informers (1929), I can’t believe this intertitle though. And this is not a joke. Not sure if this was a recreated title or what, but on the Kino dvd (which I may mistakenly assume is a direct port of the BFI transfer), when the main character and a lady are in the train station the intertitle reads:

IMG_1390.jpg

Does the BFI blu show the same?

[SML]

Originally Posted by Doomhunter

Looking at the Kino dvd of The Informers (1929), I can’t believe this intertitle though. And this is not a joke. Not sure if this was a recreated title or what, but on the Kino dvd (which I may mistakenly assume is a direct port of the BFI transfer), when the main character and a lady are in the train station the intertitle reads:

Attachment 295167

Does the BFI blu show the same?

Yes, it's the same on the BFI Blu-ray.

[Olmo]

Have there been any rumblings of a fourth volume of Play For Today by Ben Stoddart on Twitter / X? I bailed on it many moons ago.

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Olmo

Have there been any rumblings of a fourth volume of Play For Today by Ben Stoddart on Twitter / X? I bailed on it many moons ago.

I'm not on the Muskrat's platform either, but on Facebook Ben has fairly frequently poured cold water on a 4th volume; sales of the existing volumes haven't justified the expense of doing any more.

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by wabrit

I'm not on the Muskrat's platform either, but on Facebook Ben has fairly frequently poured cold water on a 4th volume; sales of the existing volumes haven't justified the expense of doing any more.

That’s a shame, they’re fantastic pieces of work.

It’s strange that if the series hasn’t been a flyer it’s still produced three volumes?

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Olmo

That’s a shame, they’re fantastic pieces of work.

It’s strange that if the series hasn’t been a flyer it’s still produced three volumes?

Agree - it seems that blu ray production is significantly more expensive than DVD for these things. I would be happy with more in DVD format (rather than never seeing them released at all), but apparently DVD is a no-no now (maybe fallout from the Network collapse).

I can only guess that either (a) they had the budget up front to do 3 volumes, or (b) volume 3 sold poorly compared to the first 2.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by wabrit

Agree - it seems that blu ray production is significantly more expensive than DVD for these things. I would be happy with more in DVD format (rather than never seeing them released at all), but apparently DVD is a no-no now (maybe fallout from the Network collapse).

I can only guess that either (a) they had the budget up front to do 3 volumes, or (b) volume 3 sold poorly compared to the first 2.

Don't think the no DVDs was anything to do with Network, more that people no longer buy the type of films that the BFI release on DVD. Their refuseniks customers who stuck with DVD have obviously either died off, moved to BD or stopped buying discs.

Think the BFI said their DVD sales had fallen off a cliff hence abandoning the format. Guess therefore the forthcoming final BTF Collection DVD is very much finish the DVD series and that buyers of transport documentary film releases tend to be older DVD only buyers like my father-in-law.