Cinema Guild
- cinemaguild
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:12 am
- Location: New York, NY
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Chatterjees, appreciate your attempt to assess the situation, but its simply incorrect. All the BD titles we have released, including the ones you cite above, have sold extremely well, especially THE TURIN HORSE, which is now in its second printing. We would not continue to put out BDs if the case were otherwise. Our next release, Thom Andersen's LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF, coming out just next month, is a BD release; and 2015 will see the largest # of BD releases we've ever done, including some exciting repertory titles.
Its also important to note that we have an obligation to each of our filmmakers for their films to be released properly and profitably. The revenues these films generate allow us to release more like-minded films and most importantly allow these filmmakers to produce more work.
It's of course your choice which films and from which companies you buy, whether in the US or outside it. As we've said before, there are many great independent distributors around the world who release important works of cinema, but rather than emphasizing which one your following and which one you're unfollowing, so long as you're buying from any of them, you're continuing to support the ecosystem.
Its also important to note that we have an obligation to each of our filmmakers for their films to be released properly and profitably. The revenues these films generate allow us to release more like-minded films and most importantly allow these filmmakers to produce more work.
It's of course your choice which films and from which companies you buy, whether in the US or outside it. As we've said before, there are many great independent distributors around the world who release important works of cinema, but rather than emphasizing which one your following and which one you're unfollowing, so long as you're buying from any of them, you're continuing to support the ecosystem.
- chatterjees
- Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:08 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
cinemaguild, thanks for getting back to my post. I really appreciate it. Its good to know that there will be more blu-rays from you guys. I do have 3 BDs released by your company and will get Manakamana soon. So, I will keep buying BDs from your company whenever I see something of my interest. This is really great to know that The Turin Horse is a good seller. I still just wanted you to know that having a CG release of Hong's The Day He Arrives or Diaz's Norte, the End of History could have been really valuable to us.
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Assuming that "all the BD titles we released" also includes The Strange Case of Angelica, I'm very glad to hear it sold well, because its one of my favorite items in my enormous collection of DVDs and Blu-rays, and it deserves to have sold well. Easily one of the best home video releases of a contemporary film; The Turin Horse is not too far behind. I can't wait to hear what titles next year will bring, and I want you to know that a good chunk of my recent raise in wages is going to go towards the Cyber Sale this November (if that still goes on!).
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Yes, but would it have been valuable to them, in the sense of standing a chance of merely breaking even on the back of a considerably enlarged production budget?chatterjees wrote:I still just wanted you to know that having a CG release of Hong's The Day He Arrives or Diaz's Norte, the End of History could have been really valuable to us.
And when you say "us", who exactly are you referring to, and how many copies would these people buy?
- SpiderBaby
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:34 pm
Re: Cinema Guild
^ I can't speak for him or anyone else, but I would buy both of those films on blu-ray. Which brings me to this question, I wonder if CG will ever go back and release a film on blu-ray, like the Hong, the Jia, the Kiarostami, etc?
- chatterjees
- Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:08 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Oh Michael, I mentioned that in the last paragraph of my previous post. "us" meansMichaelB wrote:Yes, but would it have been valuable to them, in the sense of standing a chance of merely breaking even on the back of a considerably enlarged production budget?chatterjees wrote:I still just wanted you to know that having a CG release of Hong's The Day He Arrives or Diaz's Norte, the End of History could have been really valuable to us.
And when you say "us", who exactly are you referring to, and how many copies would these people buy?
Here is a open question to everybody. Bring your guess work. As CG is not specifically answering the question I tried to raise, let's see what we can come up with. So, will it be easier for CG to do the production of blu-rays for The Turin Horse, Marwencol, Manakamana or The Strange Case of Angelica, and not for Norte? So, are we saying that Béla Tarr, Thom Andersen or Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez are profitable, but not Diaz or Hong? Seriously? Are we saying that a person who loves Tarr's films will not want to try his hands on Diaz or Hong? Honestly, I understand the productions issues or the "enlarged production budget" etc., but why doesn't that apply towards all these titles they are releasing on blu-rays? What kind of discrimination is that? Sorry cinemaguild, I don't have any problem with whatever is your business strategies. You do whatever you are doing, and I will do mine. I am just trying to understand your selection procedure here.If only 50-100 US consumers are willing to buy Diaz's Norte (digipak/limited edition or just a normal/simple edition), they are not gonna release a BD of it. This is hardcore reality and we should all learn to live with it. I would say that just save some money and get a region free player. Trust me, its your freedom, if you are a diehard fan of World Cinema.
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Without knowledge of the raw figures underpinning each decision - for instance, licensing costs and other terms laid down by the primary rightsholder - there's no point in unhelpful speculation. And asking loaded and emotive questions like "What kind of discrimination is that?" is particularly unhelpful when it's aimed at a label that has consistently demonstrated its willingness to go out on a limb.chatterjees wrote:Honestly, I understand the productions issues or the "enlarged production budget" etc., but why doesn't that apply towards all these titles they are releasing on blu-rays? What kind of discrimination is that? Sorry cinemaguild, I don't have any problem with whatever is your business strategies. You do whatever you are doing, and I will do mine. I am just trying to understand your selection procedure here.
In any case, the film in question is out on Blu-ray in another territory. There are obstacles, but no serious barriers.
- chatterjees
- Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:08 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
My bad. I absolute agree with you. Its unhelpful. I have pre-ordered the UK edition last week.MichaelB wrote:Without knowledge of the raw figures underpinning each decision - for instance, licensing costs and other terms laid down by the primary rightsholder - there's no point in unhelpful speculation. And asking loaded and emotive questions like "What kind of discrimination is that?" is particularly unhelpful when it's aimed at a label that has consistently demonstrated its willingness to go out on a limb.chatterjees wrote:Honestly, I understand the productions issues or the "enlarged production budget" etc., but why doesn't that apply towards all these titles they are releasing on blu-rays? What kind of discrimination is that? Sorry cinemaguild, I don't have any problem with whatever is your business strategies. You do whatever you are doing, and I will do mine. I am just trying to understand your selection procedure here.
In any case, the film in question is out on Blu-ray in another territory. There are obstacles, but no serious barriers.
- FrauBlucher
- Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:28 pm
- Location: Greenwich Village
Re: Cinema Guild
I'm sure CG has blued films that did not get blued overseas. So, it kind of even's out. Be thankful for region free players.
- rockysds
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 11:25 am
- Location: Denmark
Re: Cinema Guild
Cinema Guild has picked up Pedro Costa's Horse Money.
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- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 4:25 am
Re: Cinema Guild
I've probably missed it, but is the Blu of Los Angeles Plays Itself region free?
- cinemaguild
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:12 am
- Location: New York, NY
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Yes, it's region free.
- colinr0380
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
- Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK
- FrauBlucher
- Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:28 pm
- Location: Greenwich Village
- FerdinandGriffon
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:16 am
Re: Cinema Guild
What's with the self-congratulatory copy in that article?
Uh, no. All it demonstrates is that an Oscar nomination goes a long way in today's market.The trajectory of Farhadi's career demonstrates how art remains constant, and can even flourish, in the face of adversity.
- swo17
- Bloodthirsty Butcher
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:25 am
- Location: SLC, UT
Re: Cinema Guild
Great! Let's hope that Oscar nomination goes a long enough way to merit a Blu-ray.FrauBlucher wrote:CG acquires Asghar Farhadi's About Elly.
- The Elegant Dandy Fop
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:25 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Cinema Guild
I just got my upload of Get Out of the Car, which has been online for about two years, pulled off of YouTube as Cinema Guild claimed to own the copyright. Guess that's probably coming along now, I just wonder how they cleared the rights for all the music.
- warren oates
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:16 pm
Re: Cinema Guild
If they do release it, I hope they'll consider adding optional subtitles for the Spanish-language audio. I get that Andersen wants to privilege bilingual viewers but I don't see how it would harm the film to have an extra layer of meaning available, especially if it weren't the default mode and maybe not toggle-able but only accessible via a set-up menu with a note from the filmmaker about his intentions.
- Gregory
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:07 pm
Re: Cinema Guild
I'm still trying to figure out how they pulled off Los Angeles Plays Itself. Wasn't the issue of rights to use all those clips the reason it wasn't commercially distributed for so long? Were there just one or two studios that were holding out and they finally gave in? I also wonder what the clearances cost. There are over 200 clips unless I'm mistaken (still haven't seen it).
Last edited by Gregory on Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- cinemaguild
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:12 am
- Location: New York, NY
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
We did issue a take down notice for GET OUT OF THE CAR, but on behalf of Thom Andersen. We're not planning to release the film. Regarding, LOS ANGELES, all the clips were cleared under Fair Use. This Wall Street Journal article goes into the backstory a bit - http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-l-a- ... 1413392437" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Stray Dogs to be released on January 13 on DVD and Blu-ray.
Special Features:
· JOURNEY TO THE WEST, a film by Tsai Ming-liang (2014, 52 minutes)
· Tsai Ming-liang Master Class at the Cinémathèque Française - Blu-ray Exclusive (69 minutes)
· Theatrical Trailer
· Bbooklet featuring essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum
Please say this will be part of the Cyber Sale? Since it applies to pre-orders?
Special Features:
· JOURNEY TO THE WEST, a film by Tsai Ming-liang (2014, 52 minutes)
· Tsai Ming-liang Master Class at the Cinémathèque Française - Blu-ray Exclusive (69 minutes)
· Theatrical Trailer
· Bbooklet featuring essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum
Please say this will be part of the Cyber Sale? Since it applies to pre-orders?
- cinemaguild
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:12 am
- Location: New York, NY
- Contact:
Re: Cinema Guild
Yes. STRAY DOGS and RED HOLLYWOOD, both on pre-order, both part of the cyber sale.What A Disgrace wrote: Please say this will be part of the Cyber Sale? Since it applies to pre-orders?
-
- Joined: Fri May 02, 2014 3:17 am
Re: Cinema Guild
Will STRAY DOGS bluray be region free?