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Criterion is likely to release several more Ozu films in the not too distant future. Of Ozu's 33 extant films, 14 have already been released, with the upcoming "An Autumn Afternoon" being number 15. That still leaves a bunch to go, and for the sport of speculation, let's speculate what might be forthcoming in the next two to four years:

Criterion

Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (1952)
The Only Son (1936)

Eclipse -- "Ozu: The Maturing of a Master Filmmaker"

The Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family (1941)
There Was A Father (1942)
Record of a Tenement Gentleman (1947)
A Hen in the Wind (1948)
The Munekata Sisters (1950)

Eclipse -- "Silent Ozu II: Social Dramas"

A Mother Should Be Loved (1934)
An Inn in Tokyo (1934)
Women of Tokyo (1933)
Where Now the Dreams of Youth (1932)

Three of Ozu's films can be placed in the gangster genre, so we might see a third silent Eclipse set comprised of "Dragnet Girl" (1933), "Walk Cheerfully" (1930) and "That Night's Wife" (1930). But is also possible that "That Night's Wife," which some considered wrongly titled, could be construed a social drama; that will be Criterion's call.

As Ozu's "What Did the Lady Forget" (1937-sound) and "The Lady and the Beard" (1931-silent) are comedies, it's challenging to figure out how Criterion might handle them, as we already have the Eclipse set, "Family Comedies." It seems improbable that either will be released under the Criterion label. That leaves only "I Flunked, But ..." (1930-silent) and "Days of Youth" (1929-silent), two school-themed films.

Of course, any potential Criterion release depends whether the necessary rights have been acquired, and whether a quality print can be located. As for rights to Ozu films, it seems as if this have already been taken care of (and please note I have absolutely no factual basis to back this up) or, if not, can easily be done so, if desired. The relationship between Criterion and the major Japanese studios appears more than solid.

It wouldn't be a surprise either to see Criterion reissue "Tokyo Story" and "Floating Weeds" in new editions in the not too distant future.

AisleSeat wrote:That still leaves a bunch to go, and for the sport of speculation, let's speculate what might be forthcoming in the next two to four months

Fixed

Ozu saturation aside, Eclipse better get Dragnet Girl and A Hen in the Wind out in the next batches. After those two, Criterion can take as long as they want with the rest. Lord knows the Imamuras should have precedent.

Cold Bishop wrote:Ozu saturation aside, Eclipse better get Dragnet Girl and A Hen in the Wind out in the next batches. After those two, Criterion can take as long as they want with the rest. Lord knows the Imamuras should have precedent.

I take it you are not familiar with Walk Cheerfully? Just as essential as Dragnet Girl. (I think there is a Panorama version of Hen -- but not of either of these Ozu "gangster" films).

AisleSeat wrote: It wouldn't be a surprise either to see Criterion reissue "Tokyo Story" and "Floating Weeds" in new editions in the not too distant future.

I know that the Ozu fanatics around here don't particularly care for some of Criterion's Ozu transfers, but I really fail to see a reason why either of those relatively lavish two-disc titles are prime for reissue.

Michael Kerpan wrote:I take it you are not familiar with Walk Cheerfully? Just as essential as Dragnet Girl. (I think there is a Panorama version of Hen -- but not of either of these Ozu "gangster" films).

You're right about Walk Cheerfully, but there is a Panorama release of Dragnet Girl.

Cold Bishop wrote:Lord knows the Imamuras should have precedent.

Agreed. It seems many of Imamura's films are worthy of being released under the Criterion label. Of his very impressive canon, three in particular come immediately to mind: "Pigs and Battleships" (1961), "The Insect Woman" (1963), and "Intentions of Murder" (1964). A fourth, "Eijanaika" (1981), also deserves strong consideration.

The incredibly powerful and poignant film, "The Ballad of Narayama" (1983), is without a doubt also Criterion material. However, Animeigo, and not Criterion, surprisingly, was able to acquire rights, and their release hit the store shelves only two months ago. "The Profound Desire of the Gods" (1968) is a disturbing, unsettling film, and many who see it consider it sublime. Nonetheless, I found it a bit tedious and not quite matching the robustness of the somewhat similar films, "Eijanaika" and "The Ballad of Narayama." I use the phrase "somewhat similar" loosely, but as all three are period pieces filmed in vivid color (Imamura's use of the colors green and yellow is particularly striking), they tend to blend together to a degree.

Probably my favorite Imamura film, other than "Pigs," is the gritty but life affirming drama, "My Second Brother" [Nianchan] (1958). It certainly is worthy of a Criterion release in my mind, but, perhaps, should be put behind the others listed above or issued as part of a Eclipse set.

How's this for an Eclipse box: "Imamura: The Formative Years". It could comprise, let's say:

Stolen Desire" (1958)
Endless Desire" (1958)
My Second Brother (1959)
The Insect Woman (1961)

Imamura's second film, "Nishi Ginza Station" (1959) fits in terms of being an early work, but to my understanding, is a quasi-musical and, as such, seems oddly out of place with the other titles listed above.

Imamura's documentaries might also make for interesting Eclipse set, but maybe that should be down the road, and only after we see his major and formative works released.

I would second recommendations for the quasi-trilogy (Pigs and Battleships, Insect Woman and Intentions of Murder) and Eijanaika. I like all these even more than the Imamura films Criterion has already released.

I thought Nianchan looked great (already fully Imamura-like) but had a somewhat weak script.

Michael Kerpan wrote:I would second recommendations for the quasi-trilogy (Pigs and Battleships, Insect Woman and Intentions of Murder) and Eijanaika. I like all these even more than the Imamura films Criterion has already released.

It would break my heart to see that quasi-trilogy from Eclipse instead of with supplements, but it certainly seems possible given how little respect the existing Imamura releases have gotten.

This group of titles has been speculated and speculated about (just announce them, Criterion, and put us out of our misery!), and I believe that Intentions of Murder (and maybe Pigs and Battleships?) have already had commentaries recorded. Given the paucity of extras on the existing Imamura releases, if these get the Criterion treatment I'd bet that the remainder of their 60s titles will come out on Eclipse (and I don't think there's been any indication yet that Criterion have access to or interest in the pre-Pigs films, though I'd love to see them). I also don't know whether the batch of titles Criterion have rights to includes the brilliant A Man Vanishes or not, as it was an ATG production.

zedz wrote:Given the paucity of extras on the existing Imamura releases,

There's a good entry about Imamura in the "Cinema de notre temps" series, directed by Paulo Rocha. And there are tons of interesting texts, especially in Japan that cry out for translation.

zedz wrote:I also don't know whether the batch of titles Criterion have rights to includes the brilliant A Man Vanishes or not, as it was an ATG production.

The rights of the ATG titles fell back to the respective director's, when ATG went under. So Imamura Pro (=the estate of Imamura) should own the rights for AMV.

I would definitely buy an Eclipse set entitled Yasujiro Ozu: Original Gangster.

I am really excited about the mizoguchi eclipse set. but, does the exclusion of the story of the last chrysanthemums mean that this film might be part of the regular CC catalog?

Regards to Ozu, I would welcome more of his pics... but i would rather CC focus on other major directors for now who have not received the same type of attention and dedication (ie imamura/mizoguchi/rossellini/oshima/eustache/monicelli/risi/de sica/michael snow/stan brakhage/anselmo duarte/lean/fellini/bresson/rocha/huston/duvivier/abel gance/erich von stroheim/rivette/resnais/etc...).

just a few names off the top of my head. obviously i know it comes down to rights issues but then again this is the speculative forum....

criterionaficionado wrote:I am really excited about the mizoguchi eclipse set. but, does the exclusion of the story of the last chrysanthemums mean that this film might be part of the regular CC catalog?

Not necessarily. Directors like Ozu, Mizoguchi, Naruse have large filmographies with many classics that Criterion has rights or access to. As we have seen with the recent releases labeled "Kenji Mizoguchi's Fallen Women" and "Silent Ozu: Three Family Comedies", they are releasing them in smaller sets instead of throwing films into a box that don't have anything in relation. We will eventually see a title from each in the main Criterion line, but expect many more sets throughout the years.

Is it really out of the question to speculate on any Edward Yang coming out on DVD?

wpqx wrote:Is it really out of the question to speculate on any Edward Yang coming out on DVD?

No it's not, there will be more Edward Yang on DVD, but the question is when. I'm hoping Criterion has the rights to A Brighter Summer Day.

A Criterion A Brighter Summer Day would be a real treat, but I would do cartwheels if ANY acceptable DVD was released.

Is there any possibility Criterion could liberate the recently OOP Fox Lorber Hou Hsiao Hsien films? They would make a perfect Eclipse set. Maybe even tack on City of Sadness? [-o<

Image's disc of Epstein's Fall of the House of Usher went out of print recently, is it possible that Criterion will pick it up?

Tootletron wrote:Image's disc of Epstein's Fall of the House of Usher went out of print recently, is it possible that Criterion will pick it up?

If I remember correctly, the film on Image's release looked in bad shape. Then again, is this really Criterion-worthy?

Cinephrenic wrote:

Tootletron wrote:Image's disc of Epstein's Fall of the House of Usher went out of print recently, is it possible that Criterion will pick it up?

If I remember correctly, the film on Image's release looked in bad shape. Then again, is this really Criterion-worthy?

If All Day has really lost the rights to the film, I'd be more interested if Flicker Alley tried to assault Epstein's filmography with the ferocity they attacked Melies's.

For fuck's sake, where is Oshima in region 1? Someone needs to get on that ball, jeez!

The retrospective is about to launch. We may have to wait till after that.

Cinephrenic wrote:Then again, is this really Criterion-worthy?

It's more than Criterion-worthy. Whether they'll be willing too touch it is another question. I personally would love the "Films of Jean Epstein" collection mentioned by What a Disgrace. I'll doubt we'll see either.

Cinephrenic wrote:

Tootletron wrote:Image's disc of Epstein's Fall of the House of Usher went out of print recently, is it possible that Criterion will pick it up?

If I remember correctly, the film on Image's release looked in bad shape. Then again, is this really Criterion-worthy?

A better question; "is Criterion Fall of the House of Usher worthy?"

It's somewhat disconcerting that no Korean film has yet to find its way to a spine number. This is all the more so when one considers how many terrific films were produced during Korea's so-called cinematic "Golden Era" of the the 1950s and 1960s.

"The Housemaid" [Hanyo] (1960), directed by highly regarded Kim Ki-young, is prime Criterion material. Others worthy of consideration include director Shin Sang-ok's "My Mother and Her Guest" [Saranbang Sonnimgwa Eomeoni] (1961) and the notable "Flower in Hell" [Jiokhwa] (1958).

Director Lee Man-hui, who is still very much an unknown outside of Korea, helmed several worthy films in the 1960s, including "A Road to Return" [Gwilo] (1967), "The Watermill" [Mullebanga] (1966) and the gripping war drama "The Marines who Never Returned" [Toraoji Annun Haebyong] (1963). These three might make for nice Eclipse box or, perhaps, one could selected as part of a "Golden Era Korean" set.

Other mid-century Korean films that deserve broader recognition include:

"A Seaside Village" [Gaetmaeul] (1965) Kim Soo-yong, director
"Mist" [Angae] (1967) Kim Soo-yong, director
"Barefooted Youth" [Maenbal-ui Cheongchun] (1964) Kim Ki-deok, director
"The Dream" [Ggum] (1967) Shin Sank-ok, director
"Yangsan Island" [Yangsan do] (1955) Kim Ki-young, director
"Madame Freedom" [Jayu Buin] (1956) Han Hyeong-mo, director

In May, Cinema Epoch released director's You Myun Mok's classic "Stray Bullet" [Obaltan] (1961), making it the first (to the best of my knowledge) Golden Era film to be released on DVD, Region 1. Here's hoping many more will soon follow, with some finding their way to the Criterion label.

I just finished watching Peter Watkins' Punishment Park and I think it would make a wonderful addition to the Collection. What an amazing film and quite pertinent in this day and age.

I guess since there was a Watkins boxed-set just released last November, this is highly unlikely to happen. A Criterion release of The War Game would also be rather awesome. Oh to dream...