Criterion has announced their latest additions for the collection to be released in July, and they’ve given us some old favorites as well as a newer film.
Three previously released Criterion films will be refreshed and upgraded for DVD and Blu-Ray upgrade in July: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1948 classic “The Red Shoes” and their 1947 film “Black Narcissus.” Both have received highly touted, eye-popping high definition restorations (the former has been wowing audiences on a recent arthouse run). “The Red Shoes” disc includes audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie and features interviews with the films’ actors Marius Goring and Moira Shearer, the cinematographer, composer, and Martin Scorsese, along with a twenty-five minute documentary, readings from a novelization, an animated film, and assorted interviews. “Narcissus” includes a commentary track with Powell and Scorsese, an introduction by French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier and a video feature of his, as well as two documentaries on the film, and a booklet of essays.
Continuing their newest relationship with IFC Films, French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche’s 2007 film “The Secret of the Grain” will see a release on DVD and Blu-Ray in place of a currently out-of-print R1 edition. The film, which won four César Awards including best picture and best director, tells the story of French North Africans struggling to keep their family together in a time of economic struggle. The two-disc set’s extras include interviews with director Kechiche and others, an extended version of the film’s belly dancing sequence, and a booklet featuring an essay from critic Wesley Morris.
Criterion favorite and venerable Japanese filmmaker Yazujiro Ozu will get a double-film treatment with a single two-disc release of 1936’s “The Only Son,” Ozu’s first talkie, and 1942’s “There Was A Father.” As always, Ozu’s films are domestic tales with “Son” focusing on a mother taking great care to make sure her son’s future is prosperous, and “Father,” featuring frequent Ozu actor Chishu Ryu, similarly revolving around a widowed high school teacher who tries to help his son, only to find himself drifting apart from him. Extras on the set are a bit light, but include video interviews with film scholars Tadao Sato, and David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson. The booklet features essays by Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns and reprints of writings from Ryu and scholar Donald Richie.
Criterion’s Eclipse series will get its 22nd entry with a set entitled ‘Presenting Sacha Guitry.’ The lesser known French director-actor-writer, described as a “Gallic counterpart to Nöel Coward,” has not gotten much in the way of proper American releases and we imagine the set will introduce him to many (hell, this is the first time we’ve heard of him). The set includes four films produced between 1936 and 1938: “The Story of a Cheat” (apparently considered Guitry’s masterpiece), “The Pearls Of The Crown,” “Désiré,” and “Quadrille.” The films range in subject matter from historical drama in ‘Crown’ (with Guitry playing three roles) to affair-laden romance. As is the case with Eclipse sets, extra features are non-existent.