Foreign Films - Page 33

Manufacturer: The Criterion Collection Brand: The Criterion Collection

Two decades after its original negatives were burned in a fire, Satyajit Ray’s breathtaking milestone of world cinema rises from the ashes in a meticulously reconstructed new restoration. The Apu Trilogy brought India into the golden age of international art-house film, following one indelible character, a free-spirited child in rural Bengal who matures into an adolescent urban student and finally a sensitive man of the world. These delicate masterworks—Pather Panchali (Song of the Little Road), Aparajito (The Unvanquished), and Apur Sansar (The World of Apu)—based on two books by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee, were shot over the course of five years, and each stands on its own as a tender, visually radiant journey. They are among the most achingly beautiful, richly humane movies ever made—essential works for any film lover. Pather Panchali  The release in 1955 of Satyajit Ray’s debut, Pather Panchali, introduced to the world an eloquent and important new cinematic voice. A depiction of rural Bengali life in a style inspired by Italian neorealism, this naturalistic but poetic evocation of a number of years in the life of a family introduces us to both little Apu and, just as essentially, the women who will help shape him: his independent older sister, Durga; his harried mother, Sarbajaya, who, with her husband away, must hold the family together; and his kindly and mischievous elderly “auntie,” Indir—vivid, multifaceted characters all. With resplendent photography informed by its young protagonist’s perpetual sense of discovery, the Cannes-awarded Pather Panchali is an immersive cinematic experience and a film of elemental power. Aparajito  Satyajit Ray had not planned to make a sequel to Pather Panchali, but after the film’s international success, he decided to continue Apu’s narrative. Aparajito picks up where the first film leaves off, with Apu and his family having moved away from the country to ...

Manufacturer: Criterion Collection (Direct) Brand: Criterion Collection (Direct)

The Criterion Collection! French director Jacques Demy didn't just make movies-he created an entire cinematic world.He launched his glorious feature filmmaking career in the sixties, a decade of astonishing invention his national cinema... yet he stood out by filtering his self-conscious formalism through deeply emotional storytelling. This collection spans his films from the sixties through the eighties and raging from musical to melodrama to fantasia. Dual format edition; 6 Blu-Rays/7 DVDs with special edition features. Lola, Bay of Angels, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Young Girls of Rochefort, Donkey Skin, Une chambre en ville

Manufacturer: Arrow Video Brand: Music Video Dist

Fritz Haarmann, aka the Butcher of Hanover and the Vampire of Hanover, was a German serial killer responsible for the murders of two dozen boys and young men during the so-called years of crisis between the wars. His case would partly inspire Fritz Lang s M, and its central character portrayed by Peter Lorre, as well as this forgotten gem from 1973. Tenderness of the Wolves treats the viewer to a few weeks in the company of a killer. Baby-faced and shaven-headed, in a manner that recalls both M and F.W. Murnau s Nosferatu, Haarmann is a fascinating, repulsive figure. Using his status as a police informant to procure his victims, he dismembers their bodies after death and sells the flesh to restaurants, dumping the remainder out of sight. This isn t an easy film to watch, but it certainly gets under the skin... Produced by Rainer Werner Fassbinder (who also supplies a shifty cameo), Tenderness of the Wolves provided two of his regular actors with a means of expanding their careers. Ulli Lommel later responsible for the infamous video nasty The Boogeyman made his directorial debut, while Kurt Raab wrote the screenplay as well as delivering an astonishing performance as Haarmann. Special Edition Contents: New high definition digital transfer prepared by the Rainer Werner Fassbinder Foundation High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM Audio New translated English subtitles The Tender Wolf - a brand-new in-depth interview with director Ulli Lommel Brand-new interview with director of photography Jürgen Jürges Newly-filmed appreciation by film historian and expert on European horror cinema Stephen Thrower Theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by the Twins of Evil Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Tony Rayns

Manufacturer: Film Movement

A taut, nuanced story about the depths of female friendships and the dark side of teenage infatuations, Breathe, the sophomore directorial effort from Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds, Beginners), is an assured adaptation of the sensational French young adult novel of the same name. Charlie (Joséphine Japy) is seventeen and bored. Her estranged parents are too caught up in their own drama to pay her much attention. School holds no surprises either, and Charlie grows tired of her staid friends. Enter Sarah (Lou de Laâge), a confident and charismatic new transfer student who brings with her an alluring air of boldness and danger. The two form an instant connection, and through shared secrets, love interests and holiday getaways their relationship deepens to levels of unspoken intimacy. But with this intimacy comes jealousy and unrealistic expectations, and soon the teens find themselves on a dangerous trajectory toward an inevitable and unforeseen collapse. BONUS FEATURES, include: Interview with filmmaker, Mélanie Laurent, and leading actresses, Joséphine Japy and Lou de Laâge, about the making of the film; Q&A with filmmaker, Mélanie Laurent, at the NY premiere; short film, Bonne Esperance, directed by Kaspar Schiltknecht.

Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Brand: Image Entertainment

First of a trilogy of films. During the Second World War, a Japanese conscientious objector named Kaji works as a supervisor in a Manchurian prison camp. He hopes to avoid duty as a soldier, but he also hopes to be helpful to the welfare of his prisoners. An escape attempt by Chinese prisoners results in Kaji's arrest for collusion. He faces the possibility of transferral to combat--or worse.

Manufacturer: Criterion Collection