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ERA STATS ADD TO THE 2023 PICTURE
VIDEO UP AND BACK ON TOP…
…AS PHYSICAL VIDEO FALLS
“STREAMING TRANSFORMED VIDEO…”
…DVD AND BLU-RAY STILL WORTH £170M
RENTAL DOWN IN ERA FIGURES…
…BUT ONE RENTAL STORE IS UP YEAR ON YEAR…
…WITH A SHIFTING, YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC
INDUSTRY STALWART BOURDILLON RETIRES
THE BEGINNING OF THE END…
…AS SIGNATURE TALKS Q1…
…FROM ANIMATION TO ART THE CLOWN
A TOAST TO MARMALADE
SEVERIN RETURNS TO UK
RADIANCE UNVEILS APRIL SLATE
SONY CELEBRATES AS COLUMBIA HITS 100
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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It was a good week for… Video back on top ahead of music and games after 10 years…
It was a bad week for… Physical media sales not looking good in 2023, although there's an interest report from the rental frontline (see below)…
We’ve been watching… Loads on the big screen – from The End We Start From to Poor Things by way of Getting It Back, the Cymande doc, all three of which are excellent… We ushered in 2024 with figures from BASE and, for our second newsletter of the year, there’s more, this time from digital entertainment and retail association ERA. Its figures, as ever, give useful comparison between the video side of things and its in-store contemporaries, across both digital and physical media, in the shape of games and music. Moreover, the figures also add more detail to the BASE ones as well, with a few interesting and noteworthy revelations. Starting with the topline stats and it’s good news for the entire entertainment sector, with sales up seven per cent to £11.9 billion. It’s another record and, moreover, shows the entertainment industry’s comeback since 2019, both during and after the pandemic. The business has risen by some 50 per cent over the past four years and video is leading the way, as, broken down, the sector was up by almost 90 per cent (88.3 per cent to be precise), followed by music (up 38.8 per cent) and games, which rose by 29.2 per cent). The announcement further noted: “The main driver of growth in 2023 was streaming and digital services which increased revenues by more than £800m in a year and now account for 91.7 per cent of total revenue.” The statement continued :”The fastest growing sector in 2023 was video, up 10 per cent to £4,915m, followed by music, up 9.6 per cent to £2,220m and games up 2.9 per cent to £4,737m. Driven by subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, video recaptured its historic position as entertainment’s largest sector, ending a 10 year run of dominance by games.” Worth noting on the music side, is that revenues were their highest for more than 20 years, and, less than one per cent lower than the all-time high from 2001.
On the physical side, outside of video, the year saw another hugely impressive year for vinyl and, as Doug Putman from hmv said in these very pages last week, somewhat surprisingly, a growth in CD sales. The ERA report said: "Bucking the declining trend in physical formats, the value of vinyl LP sales increased by 18 per cent and CD achieved its first value increase in 20 years (plus two per cent).” But, the ERA statement aded: “In contrast to music, video’s physical formats suffered further reverses with DVD sales down 21.7 per cent to £91.8m while Blu-ray declined 15.1 per cent to £77.9m. The biggest-selling video title of the year was Avatar – The Way of Water which generated sales of 560,000.”
Comment on the ERA figures cane from the Association’s chairman Ben Drury who said, “The entertainment business is defying gravity, delivering eleven straight years of growth regardless of wider economic conditions. Due credit should go to the amazing creative talent behind the movies, music and games we all love, but we should also recognise the huge contribution of the digital services and retailers who have reinvented the entertainment experience for consumers over the past 15 years. The overwhelming majority of the money raised by digital services and retailers goes direct to the content owners, and their success is directly benefitting creators.”
Further comment came from ERA chief executive Kim Bayley, who, referring specifically to the video figures, said: "2023 marked a dramatic return to the top for video, finally ending games’s decade-long run as entertainment’s largest sector. For a long time the only way to enjoy video digitally was illegally. Streaming changed all that and has transformed not just the viewing habits of tens of millions, but the fortunes of the entire movie and TV business.”
Interestingly, the ERA figures noted the current state of the overall physical market, with figures down 18.8 per cent year on year, with the total value of physical retail sales at just under £170 million. And while, yes, that does represent a decline from 2022’s £209 million, it’s still a substantial business. And it's also good to see ERA still quoting physical retail numbers. Many of these come form online physical rental-by-post operators such as Cinema Paradiso, and these show a drop of 43.7 er cent to £5.6 million.
While the ERA physical rental figures still make for grim reading for the once dominant sector of the video market, things aren't that bad; at least not according to our regular rental correspondent Dave Wain, from Snips Video on The Wirral, one of the country’s last remaining physical rental outlets. As often at this time of year, we sought comment from Wain, who told us: “Rental revenue was up year on year, with some months like October comping as much as 70 per cent versus 2022. The rental store demographic continues to shift, with the 18 to 40s being the overwhelming majority; seemingly sick of forking out for streaming services that offer less choice for more and more money. Other aspects seemingly evolving is the popularity split between new releases and back catalogue. Traditionally, the fabled 'new release wall' accounted for something like 90 per cent of a store’s revenue, but this has shrunk dramatically, with the bulk of new customers coming in armed with lists assembled from a variety of podcasts, and a keen eye for the latest boutique Blu-ray releases.”
Moreover, Snips Movies’ Dave Wain continued, the move from new release to catalogue has already prompted a shift in his direction. He said “This change has shaped my plans for 2024. Already I'm knee-deep in constructing new fixtures to increase the archive from its current 15,500 titles, with a sharp focus on an increasingly diverse range of titles that are becoming harder and harder for the average media consumer to find. Social media – as ever – is key to the survival of a weird little establishment like my own, especially as the bulk of my new customers are travelling from further and further afield, benefitting from zero late fees, and a flexible renting period. The latter is one thing I'm beating my drum about the most. People who meekly venture through my door tend to presume that the concept is still the same as it was in 1993 with a joining fee, 24 hour rental, and seventeen forms of ID to rent a film. Once they realise that it's a genuinely laid back environment, their guard comes down, and they realise the pleasure of browsing an anti-algorithm environment where they have sole control of what they watch. Local press coverage would be welcome, but despite my best efforts to shine some attention on a genuinely unique business, there always seems to be a high-end restaurant launching a new menu that (quite rightly) takes priority. Still, onward I go…"
So, farewell then, Jon Bourdillon, as the industry stalwart bade farewell this week, retiring from the business after more than 30 years working in home entertainment. He started his career at Telstar, before going on to Columbia TriStar, then back into the independent sector with Contender, which was later sold to eOne on the back of its huge success with the property that helped make the company's name, Peppa Pig. After a few years at eOne, he then went to Signature, where he ended his career overseeing the company before announcing his retirement. Ever the champion of home entertainment, friends and colleagues gathered in the West End this week to bid farewell fo the popular character. Bourdillon brought the house down with a hilarious speech highlighting key moments in his 34 year career and he will be sorely missed. Commenting on his retirement, Bourdillon said: “I feel so privileged to have spent almost my whole working life in such a fun, interesting and fast changing industry. I have been so fortunate to have worked with so many amazing people in distribution and the wider production community. I leave Signature after 10 years in great health and with huge prospects for 2024 and beyond.” He can be contacted on jonbourdillon@gmail.com
To the Curzon Mayfair for a special gala screening of The End We Start From, Signature’s big awards-friendly dystopian drama starring the UK’s hottest name, Jodie Comer alongside a cast of familiar and bankable faces, including Benedict Cumberbatch. The film is released at cinemas on January 19 and sees Comer in fine form as a new mum struggling in a country gone mad after a catastrophic climate disaster. Her performance in Mahalia Belo’s debut film is worth the price of admission alone, but this is a truly original homegrown film and one that, thanks to the presence of its star, should score big come theatrical and through to its eventual home entertainment release. The post-screening Q&A with Comer alongside co-stars and director Belo, only showed her true star qualities and the media seems to agree, judging by the acres of publicity the event, her presence there and the film itself has already received. Comment on the film came from Signature head of marketing Jeff Suter who said: “Our gala event for The End We Start From earlier this week was the perfect showcase for the film and the first opportunity the whole cast has had to be together to celebrate the film. It was a wonderfully engaged audience and a great Q&A treat. As her first major starring role, press interest in Jodie Comer is at fever pitch and she’s supporting the film across the board from broadsheet to chat shows and everything in between. We’re very excited to finally bring the film to the big screen this week.”
The End We Start From is one of the highlights of a busy first quarter for Signature, and it’s a slate that sees if further upping the quality of its titles. This includes the Monday digital release *with a Blu-ray alongside EST and TVOD in February) of the awards-friendly Femme, starring George MacKay. The title scored a wealth of BIFA nominations and performed strongly at theatrical. As the company’s Jeff Suter noted: “BIFA award winning for George MacKay and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett’s electric joint performance and now long-listed for Best Actor at this years’ BAFTAs, Femme is available digitally from Monday. One of the best reviewed films of 2023, Femme is the tense and stylish thriller from fresh new British filmmakers Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping.”
Other titles due include February theatrical title Out Of Darkness, which, as senior product manager Cliff Green said; "From the producers of Saint Maud, festival and fan favourite Out of Darkness (aka The Origin) will be in cinemas on February 9. This pre-historic genre mash up goes beyond the boundaries of fear and draws the audience in with thrilling visuals and an unnerving Dolby Atmos mix. The up and coming filmmakers and cast are all fully on board to support this exciting quality genre release.” Another biggie comes in the shape of March theatrical release The New Boy, Signature's Green outlined: “Having already wowed audiences and critics at London Film Festival in 2023, from acclaimed writer/director Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy heads to cinemas this Q1. Starring Cate Blanchett as a renegade nun in charge of a 1940’s mission for Aboriginal children. A new charge is delivered in the dead of night – a boy with seemingly unexplainable and extraordinary powers. Sister Eileen is faced with a choice between the traditions of her faith and the truth embodied in the boy, in this story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival. Our release will be fully supported by producer and star Cate Blanchett."
Signature is also planning a Q1 4kUHD Steelbook outing for Art the clown as it pairs the first two Terrifier tiles together. With a third film in the offing, it has become a bona fide horror phenomenon which Signature is aiming to cash in on. Cliff Green said: "Q1 sees the release of runaway horror success Terrifier 1 and 2 in 4k UHD for the first time in the UK and Terrifier in 4k UHD for the first time globally from Signature Entertainment. The limited edition Steelbook is available to pre-order now. Signature Entertainment will also be releasing the next instalment Terrifier 3 in cinemas nationwide in Q4 making Signature the home of the franchise in the UK and Ireland. Art the Clown is an unstoppable and truly terrifying new addition to the icons of horror following in the footsteps of Pennywise, Freddy Krueger, Jason, Michael Myers and Ghostface.” Signature has traditionally performed well with animated family fare and this Q1 sees it offering a quartet of titles, taking in Butterfly Tale, Combat Wombat, The Inseparables, Jungle Bunch. Talking through the titles, product manager Colette Madden said: “We are delighted to have an incredible family animation line-up for Q1 2024. Heart-warming buddy adventure, The Inseparables debuts on Home Premiere on January 22 following on from its incredible theatrical run over the festive period. Also coming exclusively to UK and Irish cinemas this quarter and in time for half term, is The Jungle Bunch World Tour, an epic quest full of adventure on a global scale and Combat Wombat: Double Trouble which follows a superhero wombat and her friends try to make their city a safer place to be. Lastly, a little gang of misfits will flap their way into audiences’ hearts in the delightful Butterfly Tale this March.”
Racing films are all the rage right now and Signature has more action with Daniel Bruhl once again getting behind the wheel for Race for Glory: Audi vs Lancia, due on EST, TVOD and DVD in February. Colette Madden said: “Daniel Brühl is back in a racing seat starring alongside Haley Bennett and Riccardo Scamarcio in Race for Glory: Audi vs Lancia. Inspired by the events of the fabled 1983 Rally World Championships, this adrenaline-filled action flick captures the intense rivalry between Germany (Audi) and Italy (Lancia).This is the perfect film for petrol-heads and racing fans!. Two further February EST and TVOD releases come in the shape of Which Brings Me To You and Marmalade. On the former, Madden said: “The brilliant Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff star in charming romcom Which Brings Me To You which will sweep you off your feet and take you down memory lane this Valentine’s season. This sweet, unique story centres on two disillusioned strangers who spend 24 hours exchanging stories of romantic mishaps and love lost, hoping for a new chance at something real.” And on the latter, Marmalade, Madden added: “We are excited for the brilliant Joe Keery to star alongside rising star Camila Morrone in the exciting Signature produced Marmalade. In this ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ style, romantic heist thriller, a young, incarcerated man recalls the story of how he met the love of his life and partner in crime, Marmalade.” Other home releases on the digital side include this week's Lord Of Misrule, a homegrown folk horror; World War II drama Liberation; thriller All Souls; FrightFest aired sci-fi thriller A Million Days; an all-star comedy cast headed by Veep and Seinfeld’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus in You Hurt My Feelings; another FrightFest hit in the shape of British horror Cold Meat; shark thriller The Last Breath and The Girl on the Train meets The White Lotus in "intense sexy psychological thriller” Some Other Woman.
Interesting and welcome news from Severin Films, a one-time UK-based label that blazed a trail that has now become a familiar route for UK imprints, before falling dormant on these shores and becoming a key player pushing similar fare in the US. Now after establishing its name and reputation across the Atlantic, releasing titles by such noted names as Alejandro Jodorowsky, Roman Polanski, Dario Argento, Mike Leigh, Peter Greenaway, Lucio Fulci, Paul Morrissey, Just Jaeckin and Jess Franco, as well as sumptuous packages such as its its folk horror collection, and also moved into film production too, Severin is finally returning to the UK. The move comes off the back of a hugely successful appearance at FrightFest in London in 2023, where it screened documentaries Enter The Clones of Bruce (directed by Severin co-founder/president David Gregory) and Mancunian Man, directed by Nucleus Films’ Jake West, as well as short feature To Fire You Come at Last. Its return follows the inking of a deal with Trinity Creative Pertnership and kicks off with two titles at the end of February. The pair are former video nasty Nightmares In A Damaged Brain, as well as horror mister Frank Henenlotter’s Bad Biology. The former comes in a two-disc set with a never-before-seen restored version and five hours of special features; the latter is also in a restored version packed with features and marked the director’s return behind the camera following his 80s run of hits such as Basket Case.
Comment on the Severin and Trinity deal came from Severin’s co-founder Carl Daft who said: "For the past two decades, Severin has defined the ethos ‘entertainment with sharp edges’. David Gregory and I began our careers together distributing genre films – and frequently battling the BBFC – in the ‘90s UK home video market, and we are proud of our contributions to the industry. We look forward to returning to the UK via this partnership with Trinity Creative, which will enable us to bring the ever-growing Severin slate to an even wider audience.” Trinity Creative’s Andy Taylor said: “Severin films has built a reputation as one of the top classic cult labels in the world. They have a huge following among film fans and we are excited to be able to work with them, to help bring these films to the UK and Eire and hopefully reach an even wider fan base, than they already have. We’re launching with two cracking titles in Feb. There will then be some exciting new releases, along with their existing catalogue of titles, that we’ll be releasing throughout 2024 and beyond. Having Severin films releasing their titles in the UK, is great news for the physical format, collectors and the industry as a whole and we, at Trinity, cannot wait to bring these out, over the coming months.”
Another week, another announcement from the fine folk at Radiance Fiwlms, this time unveiling its April titles. The package due for release on the 29th of the month includes The Shape Of Night, from director Noboru Nakamura; former Palme d;Or nominee Misunderstood, from director r Luigi Commencini; Jacques RIvette's L’Amour Fou; and, from distributed label Raro Films, Italian poliziottesco thriller The Boss. Radiance's Fran Simeoni said: " We're delighted once again with the response to our latest announcements. Three very different films from three countries representing a mix of genres and filmmaking styles. Though our two quite distinct releases of The Shape of Night and Misunderstood had a Douglas Sirk flavour with their melodramatic tunes was a nice coincidence! These two along with Jacques Rivette's masterful L'amour Fou represent worldwide Blu-ray premieres (English-friendly in the case of Misunderstood) so naturally audiences are excited to experience these films for the first time. In addition to this our partnership with Raro Video takes in another Italian crime classic with Fernando Di Leo's classic The Boss, a favourite of Quentin Tarantino and discerning film fans.”
SO, happy birthday then to Columbia Pictures, with the Sony-owned company marking its centenary year in 2024 and its actual birthday falling on January 10. Its celebrating throughout the year with a slew of home entertainment releases, alongside a new logo to mark the occasion for Columbia Pictures titles. The studio has picked up more Best Picture Academy Award than any other studio in its time. Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group Tom Rothman said: “There is one thing that separates a major studio from all other content producers: history. At Columbia, that history is reflected in the countless cultural talismans created by thousands of people over now 100 years. All of us at Columbia are proud of that legacy and honoured to celebrate it.” Sony’s centenary statement further added: "In honour of the anniversary, luxury publisher Assouline will release a commemorative book highlighting 100 iconic moments of Columbia Pictures, and the studio will host festival screenings, live concerts of prominent film scores, and debut curated home entertainment products celebrating the scope of the studio’s library. Additional details regarding the 100 Year Anniversary celebration will be revealed throughout the year.”
The Raygun’s Tim Murray is continuing his run of writing about physical media for Film Stories print magazine (the weightiest film publication on the shelves in the UK) and we’re finishing putting together our coverage for the next issue. We’ll be reviewing and writing about late January and February releases – to get involved, email us at the normal address…
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Digital release due from Altitude…
Out this week and it looks gorgeous…
Ladies and gentlemen, the Smiths
Music doc on the way…
And more, this film is wonderful…
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