British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Jorvic]

The Draughtsman's Contract – about time!

[koberulz]

Wasn't that announced for a Blu-ray already? I recall being told it would be released later this year. Been waiting for that to happen so I can put in a big order.

[BarnDoor]

Looks like the BFI are having a big horror season later in the year, entitled 'In Dreams Are Monsters': https://www.bfi.org.uk/in-dreams-are-monsters

In the press release, this caught my eye:

The full programme for IN DREAMS ARE MONSTERS will be announced on 8 September and will feature:
- A headline season of films, discussions and immersive events at BFI Southbank
- Events and screenings around the UK in partnership with the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN), including four special commissions by leading regional horror film festivals
- A touring programme in partnership with Independent Cinema Office (ICO) and BFI FAN
- A major collection of films available to stream across the UK on BFI Player
- Re-releases of a classic Horror title by BFI Distribution and BFI Home Entertainment

Not sure what this would be, though I get far more excited by obscure British horror efforts that the BFI tend to rescue so brilliantly. True we've just had The Appointment, though I'd love to see one or two more for October/November. Short Sharp Shocks Vol. 3 is probably unlikely, but I'd take any of these:

- Anything from the BBC Archives (70s/80s)
- Screamtime (1983)
- Something to Hide (1972)
- Night After Night After Night (1969)
- The Lifetaker (1975)
- Crucible of Terror (1971) / Disciple of Death (1972)
- The Haunting of Julia (1977)
- Whispers of Fear (1976)

I have to think the Tyburn films, as always, are out of the question. I expect we're likely to get the Q4 slate in the next couple of weeks, so fingers crossed we get some surprises.

[rapta]

I also noticed they're releasing The Harder They Come theatrically, so perhaps maybe could do a Blu-ray reissue? I already have the Screenbound release, which I got cheap, but haven't even opened it yet. Was hoping Indicator might get it but would be equally happy to see a BFI release instead. The extras seem pretty good for a Screenbound/Odeon release, but I imagine the film has been restored if they're releasing it theatrically.

[CelestialAgent]

The Shout Blu-ray was apparently from a 4K remaster (different to the UK Blu-ray) with additional extras and films, though the BFI website doesn’t reference 4K. There’s a trailer on the BFI’s YouTube if you want to compare.

It might be a case where BFI only acquired cinema distribution while Screenbound holds onto the home rights, though a reissue would be welcome.

Vue have nationwide screenings on the 27th as part of their BFI strand (hopefully it will be busier than Benediction which only attracted me and one other person), while Picturehouse have screenings coming up too.

Originally Posted by koberulz

Wasn't that announced for a Blu-ray already? I recall being told it would be released later this year. Been waiting for that to happen so I can put in a big order.

It was announced in December 2021 for October/November as part of a Greenaway season. I’m glad I never bought the German Blu-ray (I used to own the BFI DVD but had to bin it as it didn’t play!), though hopefully the BFI will carry over the short films from that release.

https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/bfi-programme-2022

[Yami]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Looks like the BFI are having a big horror season later in the year, entitled 'In Dreams Are Monsters': https://www.bfi.org.uk/in-dreams-are-monsters

Not sure what this would be, though I get far more excited by obscure British horror efforts that the BFI tend to rescue so brilliantly.

It could be anything but my first thought was that it might be a 4K re-release of Eyes Without a Face, because I think it's getting one in France later this year? It might be one of the very few Blu-Ray releases that the BFI would consider upgrading.

[Dan8700]

Originally Posted by Yami

It could be anything but my first thought was that it might be a 4K re-release of Eyes Without a Face, because I think it's getting one in France later this year?

So, this is gonna get a UHD in France? Just an assumption of yours or is this based on some source?!

[Yami]

Originally Posted by Dan8700

So, this is gonna get a UHD in France? Just an assumption of yours or is this based on some source?!

Coming from Le Chat qui fume

[Dan8700]

Originally Posted by Yami

Coming from Le Chat qui fume

Beyond amazing, thanks.

[PlexShaw]

As mentioned in the thread for the film, a 4K restoration of Watership Down is coming from BFI UHD and Blu-ray on 24 October.

There are a couple of screenings of the film at BFI Southbank in September and it mentions the release there.

https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/article/watershipdown2022

[rapta]

Originally Posted by PlexShaw

As mentioned in the thread for the film, a 4K restoration of Watership Down is coming from BFI UHD and Blu-ray on 24 October.

There are a couple of screenings of the film at BFI Southbank in September and it mentions the release there (I can't direct link the page for some reason).

Oh wow! Perfect, I will be getting the Blu-ray. Brilliant news, an absolute classic that I talk about more than most films weirdly enough. Clearly had a profound effect on me!

[bleedandtrim]

Nice to see animation getting some spotlight, especially so early in their UHD days!

[Yami]

Great news! It's a beautiful film that's never quite been done full justice on home video, even in its Criterion edition. I'd wondered if Indicator might get it via London Films but the BFI is the perfect home and 4K UHD is a pleasant surprise

[CelestialAgent]

I went to the Vue screening of The Harder They Come this evening. It was better attended than the Benediction showing two months ago, with six other people in the screen (either friends or couples) though I’m surprised it was an entirely white audience (which also happened with the screening of Babylon I went to recently.) A trailer was shown for the next film in the BFI Presents strand (Queen of Glory) which looks really good though Bohemia Media are the distributor on that one so I doubt it will get a disc.

I’m not sure whether this is the 4K restoration. There are no restoration notes at the beginning of the film, and the end credits are digitally recreated with text scrolling over B-roll of a woman banging a drum that ends with a copyright notice to a 2006 restoration by Xenon. The film also begins with only the BFI logo, so maybe Screenbound no longer hold rights. That said, the master does look pretty good and I didn’t really have any issues with it, though there are occasional scratches and even sprocket holes on the side closer to the end, though those could be source related. Though I could understand the film’s patois generally the film had SDH subtitles through the whole thing, even when the English was very understandable and covering sound effects/music too. If someone has the Shout disc and can comment on whether those elements are also on the Shout master that would be useful.

The film is really good with some catchy songs by Jimmy Cliff, including most memorably You Can Get It If You Really Want. It addresses some universal coming of age themes around trying to find yourself in the world, wanting to find a job but nobody will take you, make money and become famous, falling in love, coming into conflict with the church and authority. The exploration of the music industry is really interesting with a single record label having a monopoly in Jamaica controlling the studios, DJs and stations, giving a token sum to artists who don’t get any royalties no matter how well the song does, and having the ability to make or break an artist’s career. It also shows how the church might have its elements of music with the choir and even electric guitars but looks down on music that is seen as corrupting and un-Christian. Another really interesting element is it shows how cultural exports become popular in Jamaica, with a copy of Playboy in the car featuring some scantily clad white women that the preacher tears up, and a violent shootout in Django showing in the cinema (which is interesting in itself with American myths of the west filtered through an Italian lens). Criminality is shown as something someone stumbles into in a country where there isn’t much else going to make money except by shifting weed, and can easily become glamourised with celebrity status as a thrilling chase. Being famous either as an artist or as a gunslinger are shown as not so different after all.

Henzell is a really stylistic director, intercutting against the shootout from Django perfectly, entire scenes set to songs, and a really beautiful depiction of sexual desire/fantasy sparkling in the lake, and then depicting the feeling of spending time with someone and going on dates.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

I went to the Vue screening of The Harder They Come this evening. [snip] Though I could understand the film’s patois generally the film had SDH subtitles through the whole thing, even when the English was very understandable and covering sound effects/music too. If someone has the Shout disc and can comment on whether those elements are also on the Shout master that would be useful.

I've only seen it on TV (the Moviedrome showing of 1994) and that was subtitled into English throughout.

[Marcus Aurelius]

Just arrived:

[BarnDoor]

My God, BFI win the year - Nil By Mouth, and an upgrade of BBC's Ghost Stories for Christmas at last!


The Ballad of Tam Lin (Flipside) (10th October)

Watership Down (4K UHD) (24th October)

The Draughtman's Contract (21st November)

Nil by Mouth (5th December)

Ghost Stories for Christmas - Volume One (5th December)

[CrockettandTubbs]

Definitely getting Watership Down and Draughtsman

I'll wait for Ghost Stories to come down in price I think.

[Mothravka]

Would be ace if the Greenaway film was a 4K UHD release, but I will be getting it either way.

[yoloswegmaster420]

Ingmar Bergman Vol. 4 is also being released in November:



The Films:

Cries and Whispers (1972)
Scenes from a Marriage (1973)
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Faro Document (1979)
From the Life of the Marionettes (1980)
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Fanny and Alexander (TV Series), (1983)
After the Rehearsal (1984)