110 What Happened Was...

[Finch]

Jackie (Karen Sillas) and Michael (Tom Noonan, Manhunter, also writer-director) are co-workers at a New York law firm who, after months of flirtation, agree to meet for a 'first date' at Jackie's apartment. Their initially charged and playful interactions eventually evolve into a long, dark night of the soul, as the two would-be lovers get to know each other properly for the first time, and discover that all may not be as it seems. Winner of the Sundance Festival Jury Prize in 1994, What Happened Was... is a landmark work of American independent cinema anchored around two stunning performances, presenting an often hilarious, often bleak, but always excoriatingly honest exploration of dating in the big city. Radiance is proud to present the film on UK home video for the very first time.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

4K restoration by Oscilloscope Films
Uncompressed stereo PCM audio
Interview with director Tom Noonan and producer Scott Macaulay (2021)
Interview with star Karen Sillas (2021)
New interview about the film with critic Charles Bramesco (2024)
Trailer
Optional English SDH subtitles
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Filippo Di Battista
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Adam Nayman
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

[ryannichols7]

I think doing an Oscilloscope title is a pretty cool thing, but I'll admit to knowing nothing about this movie. will watch it when it comes in the mail for sure, which will be ahead of our 1994 project!

[rapta]

I'm guessing this was the 'Sundance winner' teased in the subscription bundle description. I had heard Noonan had directed a couple of films, but didn't realise this was so revered, and by Charlie Kaufman no less (just saw that Kaufman was set to star in a planned sequel for Netflix, co-starring Louis C.K. and Vin Diesel...I wonder why that didn't make it off the ground).

Anyway, an inspired choice and I hope we see similar independent US cinema from this era from Radiance. Immediately thinking of Hal Hartley, but since it's Oscilloscope perhaps they'll aim for some Reichardt? I know Second Run have something planned in that regard (maybe just River of Grass).

[domino harvey]

You know who’s a big fan of this one?

[colinr0380]

Interesting! I do have a soft spot for claustrophobically enclosed single set theatrical-style films (Sleuth being a big one of course) and I wonder if this would double bill well with Richard Linklater's Tape from a few years later.

[onedimension]

You know who’s a big fan of this one?

To be fair to the most unique indie advocate around, he's how I first heard of it

[mteller]

I'm one of the few people who saw this in the theater. Haven't seen it since, but I remember really enjoying it.

[beamish14]

I'm one of the few people who saw this in the theater. Haven't seen it since, but I remember really enjoying it.

There is truly nothing like it. The making of it kind of mirrored what happened to Tom Noonan, as he says it contributed to the breakdown of his own marriage. I can’t hear Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” without thinking of it. There is one particular scene with a dollhouse where you think that the movie might take a left-turn into straight-up horror that is unbelievably jarring and creative.

[Guido]

Seriously. I caught this two years ago and I’m still haunted by it. Its surreal flourishes are frankly astonishing (there’s a cut early on, right at the tail end of the opening credits, that might be among the most beautiful and jarring and strange I’ve seen), and Karen Sillas’s performance is just masterful.