British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[MifuneFan]

I'm not sure if this was more or less known/implied already, but Ben Stoddart just officially confirmed there is no Chantal Akerman Volume 3 set planned.

[TheHistorian]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm not sure if this was more or less known/implied already, but Ben Stoddart just officially confirmed there is no Chantal Akerman Volume 3 set planned.

I think the original announcement was for only two volumes.

I took a look, and there is enough material for a third volume. It would be documentary heavy (which isn't necessarily good or bad, just what's left).

[Querelle]

Portrait d'une jeune fille de la fin des années 60 à Bruxelles is one glaring thing missing (from what I understand, due to soundtrack rights issues)

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by Querelle

Portrait d'une jeune fille de la fin des années 60 à Bruxelles is one glaring thing missing (from what I understand, due to soundtrack rights issues)

I saw that at the BFI Southbank during their retrospective and that would be correct. The music was licensed only for the French TV broadcast - Leonard Cohen, James Brown and Johnny Hallyday amongst others - so it would be too expensive or maybe otherwise not possible to clear for disc release.

It's times like this that you wish there was a philanthropic millionaire cineaste out there.

[rapta]

Sholay has been remastered with input from the BFI: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg8m9z5vv8o?fbclid

I wonder if it will make it to Blu-ray after its debut screening?

[gekats]

Pink narcissus has been restored. Anyone aware of any news for a potential Blu Ray or UHD upgrade from BFI or otherwise?

Having first resurfaced at Frameline9 in 1985, Pink Narcissus’s years-in-the-works (and Frameline co-funded) 4K restoration at last brings Bidgood’s stunningly beautiful erotic dreamscapes to life as they never have before. And if this is your first time experiencing it: prepare yourself.

https://www.frameline.org/films/fram...pink-narcissus

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by rapta

Sholay has been remastered with input from the BFI: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg8m9z5vv8o?fbclid

I wonder if it will make it to Blu-ray after its debut screening?

Mehbooba!

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by rapta

Sholay has been remastered with input from the BFI: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg8m9z5vv8o?fbclid

I wonder if it will make it to Blu-ray after its debut screening?

Restored is the term, rapta. The restoration team (Film Heritage Foundation in collab with Bolgona) went back to the best available film elements and did a meticulous restoration. I hear that the film will have a general re-release in cinemas in India in August. I'm looking forward to that.

As for a physical release, I'd still say there's many a slip betwixt, but let's keep our fingers crossed

[Yami]

Originally Posted by rapta

Sholay has been remastered with input from the BFI: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg8m9z5vv8o?fbclid

I wonder if it will make it to Blu-ray after its debut screening?

I would bet on it, given the press and the fact that lesser-known titles that the Film Heritage Foundation have restored made it to Blu-Ray over here. I wouldn't bet on it necessarily being the BFI though. I'd say either them or Radiance are the most likely.

[nicwood]

Got my copy of TwentyFourSeven today. The new master was created by Silver Salt from an interpositive and looks really nice. Sound is just as good. Encoding was done by VDMS. Really happy with this one!

[CavebobSpongeman]

Originally Posted by nicwood

Got my copy of TwentyFourSeven today. The new master was created by Silver Salt from an interpositive and looks really nice. Sound is just as good. Encoding was done by VDMS. Really happy with this one!

Nice to hear it looks good, the reviews I've read haven't exactly been forthcoming with technical details. I'll be picking it up on Monday. Romeo Brass next please for the love of God.

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by in1980abluesky

The only (half) tempting aspect of the set is The 49th Parallel & A Canterbury Tale on blu ray, though I always shudder when I see 1080bp from a hi-def transfer with Imprint - The Day of the Locust memories bring me out in hives.

Is there any news of restoration done on 49th Parallel and/or Canterbury Tale? They are two of my favorite P&P, don't understand why they languish on DVD while TSBR is on BD, and presumably Imprint will just give us upscaling of DVD transfers of these two. I can live with the existing BDs of color P&P, but B&W is crying out for some love. If someone were to give us a P&P boxset, my first choice would be all B&W.

[Dogwood]

Originally Posted by Taylor3978

Is there any news of restoration done on 49th Parallel and/or Canterbury Tale? They are two of my favorite P&P, don't understand why they languish on DVD while TSBR is on BD, and presumably Imprint will just give us upscaling of DVD transfers of these two. I can live with the existing BDs of color P&P, but B&W is crying out for some love. If someone were to give us a P&P boxset, my first choice would be all B&W.

49th Parallel is one I've mentioned before on here, such a great wee film; like the yin to One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing's yang. I'd love to see it polished up and looking its best!

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by Dogwood

49th Parallel is one I've mentioned before on here, such a great wee film; like the yin to One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing's yang. I'd love to see it polished up and looking its best!

As a naturalized Canadian, 49th Parallel resonates personally. Poignant monologue at the start talking about the "longest unguarded border in the world." Of course Raymond Massey is the only Canadian actor with a major role in it, and he's playing an American!

A Canterbury Tale was described by Scorsese as their most mystical film (hence it bombed at the box office). It's clearly the inspiration for the transition from Dawn of Man to the Space Age in 2001. Lovely performances from Sheila Sim and Sergeant John Sweet, and of course Eric Portman is excellent in both films.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by Taylor3978

As a naturalized Canadian, 49th Parallel resonates personally. Poignant monologue at the start talking about the "longest unguarded border in the world." Of course Raymond Massey is the only Canadian actor with a major role in it, and he's playing an American!

A Canterbury Tale was described by Scorsese as their most mystical film (hence it bombed at the box office). It's clearly the inspiration for the transition from Dawn of Man to the Space Age in 2001. Lovely performances from Sheila Sim and Sergeant John Sweet, and of course Eric Portman is excellent in both films.

A Canterbury Tale is my favourite film. I watched the HD version on the BFI Player but it didn’t look any better than the Criterion DVD and I suspect the Imprint BD won’t look any better.

[McCrutchy]

The Chantal Akerman: Volume 1 box is down to "Only 12 left in stock." at Amazon. I don't know if this means it is close to selling out, but I was unfortunately motivated to place my first order in months in order to secure my copy.

Of course, it's come at one of the worst possible times for me, with my participating in a few sales over here already, so I'll be on bread and water for the foreseeable.

[nicwood]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

The Chantal Akerman: Volume 1 box is down to "Only 12 left in stock." at Amazon. I don't know if this means it is close to selling out, but I was unfortunately motivated to place my first order in months in order to secure my copy.

Of course, it's come at one of the worst possible times for me, with my participating in a few sales over here already, so I'll be on bread and water for the foreseeable.

You’re right with the above. This is probably your last chance to get it before it’s entirely OOP. BFI won’t manufacture additional copies.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by nicwood

You’re right with the above. This is probably your last chance to get it before it’s entirely OOP. BFI won’t manufacture additional copies.

The ONLY thing that the BFI will do once OOP is release one (can't remember which title) of the films individually.

[RossyG]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

The ONLY thing that the BFI will do once OOP is release one (can't remember which title) of the films individually.

Jeanne Dielman, 23 Commerce Quay, I'd guess.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by RossyG

Jeanne Dielman, 23 Commerce Quay, I'd guess.

Just wondering if the 2nd set will end up the same as in a film or two getting separate releases after the box goes OOP.