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CURZON, MUBI SIGN UP TO BASE
AS CURZON RE-OPENS ARTIFICIAL EYE…
…COMMENT AS FAMOUS NAME RETURNS
STRICKLAND HONOURED WITH BOX…
…AND NOTES IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL MEDIA…
…CURZON HAS MEMORIES TOO
LIONSGATE’S NEW LOVE
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
ARROW INKS MAJOR DEAL…
…FIRST FRUITS LAND IN JULY
EUREKA’S MESSAGE FOR SUMMER
ANI-MAY LAUNCHES PROMOTIONAL MONTH…
…AS CRUNCHYROLL SHOWS OFF SUMMER RELEASES…
…AND PUSHES THEATRICAL OFFERING
DEGI APPOINTS AND ADDS TO BOARD
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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It was a good week for… Dune Part Two enjoys its second week at the top of the Official Film Chart after week one digital downloads near 90,000…
It was a bad week for… Baby Reindeer, Netflix's much-talked about series, continues to see fallout, from the real-life stalker featured and more…
We have been watching… We saw Lionsgate's excellent Love Lies Bleeding and a stack of Blu-rays including the seminal Slacker from Criterion and Studiocanal's The Small Back Room…
Some announcements from BASE and sister operation DEGI, as the organisation has unveiled two new members in the shape of long-time independent distributor Curzon alongside streaming and latterly theatrical and physical media operator MUBI. The two will be joining more than 85 other organisations that boast membership of BASE and DEGI. Curzon MD for programme and sales Damian Spandley said: “The team at Curzon are excited to be joining BASE and DEGI. We have invested heavily in our home entertainment offer in recent years, especially with our line of premium box set collections from the world's best directors, alongside a diverse digital offering. We look forward to benefiting from the insights and events programme membership provides.” And MUBI’s VP of distribution Jon Barrenechea commented: “We are delighted to become the latest member of both BASE and DEGI. As a global streaming service, production company and film distributor, MUBI has an important and unique position in the Home Entertainment industry, and we look forward to working with BASE, DEGI, and our fellow members to bring more ambitious films by visionary filmmakers to audiences across the world.”
Sticking with Curzon, and those with long memories, or industry veterans such as us at The Raygun, will know the pivotal role that Artificial Eye has played in the business over the years. The long-standing arthouse distributor launched its home entertainment imprint more than 30 years ago, in 1991, on the back of the success of the Gerard Depardieu-starring Cyrano de Bergerac, which presaged a world cinema boom on VHS. With its distinctive generic packaging and spines that both delighted and infuriated consumers and industry people alike (the text runs the opposite way from most other distributors’ spines) it became a mainstay of the business. Artificial Eye itself was founded in 1976 by Pam and Andi Engel and was bought by Curzon in 2006, before disappearing as a name some 10 years ago. But this week, Curzon has announced that the Artificial Eye label is returning, both as a theatrical and home entertainment imprint. Its product will sit alongside that of Curzon Film, with the same team working across them both. The statement noted: “The first film released under the new Artificial Eye banner will be the acclaimed Berlin competition title My Favourite Cake by Iranian duo Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha. A new, refreshed branding, based on the original iconic design, will be released alongside the film.”
Comment on the return of Artificial Eye came from Curzon CEO Edward Fletcher who said: “With Curzon celebrating its 90th year, it feels fitting to see the return of Artificial Eye, a much-loved label with a rich history and global reputation amongst cinephiles. At Curzon, we have witnessed exciting growth in young audiences seeking out classic and repertory cinema, and Artificial Eye has a deeply felt heritage value within that story. It feels like the perfect moment to bring the beloved label back. Our experienced acquisitions team, led by our managing director Louisa Dent, will curate select additions to the catalogue – focusing on our traditional ingredients of director-led world cinema and outstanding discovery work from emerging filmmakers. I’m thrilled that the magnificent My Favourite Cake will relaunch the label, it's a film that chimes with the classic Artificial Eye films of the past whilst feeling thoroughly fresh and modern.” And the company’s Damian Spandley told The Raygun: “Since the announcement that iconic distribution brand Artificial Eye is returning, the team's mobiles have been buzzing non-stop with messages and posts of excitement from friends in the trades and film lovers everywhere. Thank you to everyone for your encouragement and support. Established in 1976, a generation of collectors continue to affiliate themselves with Artificial Eye and the brand's awesome contribution to film culture in the UK - as custodians, we look forward to future generations discovering the best of independent and world cinema with us.”
More from Curzon, as the indie unveiled a career-spanning box set from director Peter Strickland, one of the country’s finest directing talents, who has successful blended genre fare with arthouse sensibilities across his impressive filmography. The lavish package, due on June 24, features all five of his feature films (Berberian Sound Studio, The Duke of Burgundy, In Fabric, Flux Gourmet, and, for the first time on Blu-ray, Strickland’s debut film, Katalin Varga), alongside every short film he’s ever made, as well as pop promos and more. It also includes a booklet with new writing, including “a new essay from film critic Anton Bitel, a piece by Fatma Mohammed (who has appeared in all of Strickland's feature films) on her collaboration with the director over the years, and new writing on his short films by Strickland himself”. Given Strickland’s status, there’s certain to be plenty of demand for the film.
The Raygun’s Tim Murray has interviewed Strickland about his filmography and the importance of physical media for directors for the next issue of Film Stories (more on this soon), but, in the meantime, the director said: “Putting this collection together could sometimes feel like detective work - trying to track down old negatives or hard drives that were left in a friend's ex-spouse's apartment or in a lock-up garage after one of my colleagues fell in love with someone thousands of miles away. It was also a chance to patch up a few rocky working relationships in the hope of getting hold of something I didn't think I'd ever need until Curzon came knocking. The whole experience has been a meaningful one - as in, don't spread my mess in other people's places. It's also been a great joy to have almost everything compiled in one box, thanks to immense support from Curzon who have been open and helpful throughout the whole process.” Curzon’s Damian Spandley told The Raygun: “Curzon is beyond excited to be presenting the first major home entertainment collection of Peter's work. The Strickland Curzon Collection is the most collaborative Blu-ray project we've ever worked on, with the team working closely with the filmmaker to ensure the product is a true reflection of Peter's vision. We thank him for his contribution to the design, and his tireless work in compiling an essay and restoring never-before-seen short films for his fans to enjoy." And lastly in Curzon-related news, the company has announced a further home entertainment release over the past week, with the first ever Blu-ray release for the second film from award-winning Bong Joon Ho, Memories Of Murder. It lands on June 10 and comes complete with extras including an early, rarely seen short from the director. Comment came from Curzon’s Damian Spandley, who said: “We are delighted to present one of our best sellers and most-loved titles, the great Bong Joon Ho's Memories Of Murder, in a glorious 4K/UHD restoration complemented by new artwork by Yorkshire-based artist Joanna Lisowiec. We think Joanna's haunting image, darkly created from the POV of the murderer, highlights the film's neo-noir approach beautifully.”
Lionsgate has been picking up plenty of coverage this week for its theatrical release of Love Lies Bleeding, the new film from Rose Glass, the force behind lockdown horror hit Saint Maud. The film sees her moving into another strong genre, and also to the US, for this noir-esque thriller that stars Kristen Stewart as one half of a body-building couple who get embroiled in all kinds of very violent situations with a cast of distinctly unsavoury characters, including a fine turn by Ed Harris complete with long hair. It’s a hugely commercial offering and, judging by the special screening hosted by the company this week at London’s Prince Charles Cinema, it will create a storm with audiences and as well as playing strongly in cinemas will also go down a storm for home viewing. Don’t just take our word for it, for as well as boasting excellent word of mouth from events such as the screening, it’s also earned some great reviews this week. Here’s Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian, who said: “British film-maker Rose Glass lets rip with some pure roid-rage cinema in this uproarious, horribly violent and lethally smart noir thriller sited in the Venn diagram overlap between bodybuilding, murder and sex. The bodycount climbs so alarmingly that the characters are in danger of running out of rugs to roll the corpses up in… This could be a new grindhouse classic; in this world, love is bleeding but it’s not taking anything lying down.”
Also premiering this week is the latest in a series of female-led films from female-led company Picnik, founded by former Lionsgate chief and industry stalwart Nicola Pearcey, alongside partner Matt Pearcey. Its latest offering is The Almond And The Seahorse, which stars Rebel Wilson, who was on hand for the screening and helped boost awareness of the film with coverage across the media, aided by the heightened profile the star has received recently on the back of her autobiography. You can see some of the coverage here. The film itself is a powerful drama about the after-effects of traumatic brain injury and see Wilson showing off her acting chops. Nicola Pearcey said: “The film went down amazingly well.We had Creative Wales and Charlotte Tilbury sponsor the event which was fabulous. Rebel was awesome. And so was Celyn of course alongside Meera, Ruth and the rest of the cast.” Our on the spot reporter Nick Gibbs-McNeil from kidzcoolit.com and elsewhere, said: “Picnik is fast becoming the distribution company that releases stories you didn’t realise you wanted to know. The Almond and the Seahorse is an incredibly powerful movie with multiple stories within a story, depending on your own life experiences. So moving with some brilliant solo performances from the cast.”
Arrow has, as is always the case on the last Friday of the month, revealed its package of titles due out from the imprint in July, and, in the shape of Guy Ritchie’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E., it includes the first fruits of a major deal the independent has inked with Warner Bros Discovery. The deal takes in new release and catalogue titles and Arrow has promised plenty more goodies from the studio. Arrow’s Louise Buckler said: “Our monthly new title reveals were unleashed last week with a quartet of releases for the UK this July. Leading the pack was Nick Castle’s The Last Starfighter, arriving on 4K UHD and Blu-ray with a brand new restoration, The Nico Mastorakis Collection brings 6 more films from Greek B-movie maestro to Arrow Video, Loop Track from Wellington Paranormal’s Tom Sainsbury is fresh from the festival circuit and our latest new Cult title, and lastly, July sees the arrival of Guy Ritchie’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Not only is our release stacked with new and archive extras, but the film also marks the first release from our new Warner Bros. deal. The entire Arrow team are thrilled and excited to work on and release films from the historic and expansive Warner library. We are so pleased that the first announcement has been well received and more gems from this deal will be announced in the coming months - keep a close eye on our monthly announcements for all the info!”
Eureka has also unveiled its July releases, and, as ever, the company’s national account manager Marcus Garwood talks us through its slate. He said: “Revenge and space are the two subject matters covered in our July releases here at Eureka Entertainment. Kicking off in space, we present Kinji Fukasaku's Message From Space as part of The Masters Of Cinema Series. The Toei Company’s answer to the box-office success that was Star Wars, this 1978 space adventure was the most expensive Japanese film ever made at the time of its release and perfectly combines sci-fi alongside Japan’s own genre tradition. Starring Sonny Chiba (Kill Bill, Samurai Reincarnation) and boasting a sweeping score and special effects that impress to this day, Message from Space appears on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from an immaculate restoration of the original film elements by Toei. The release will be packaged in a limited edition o-card featuring new artwork by Scott Saslow. Extras include a limited edition reversible poster, plus a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Christopher Stewardson. Acts of revenge next as we present The Double Crossers. Directed by Jeong Chang-hwa (The Skyhawk, Broken Oath and King Boxer) The Double Crossers is an action-packed revenge story starring South Korean martial artist Shin Il-ryong (The Dragon Lives Again) and the legendary Sammo Hung (The Magnificent Butcher). The film makes its worldwide debut here on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration. Disc extras include (among others) a brand new audio commentary on the Hong Kong theatrical version by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)."
After a relatively fallow year in 2023, Shameless and its sister label Cult Films have had a busy year in terms of releases. Latest to hit the shelves arrived on Monday April 29 in the form of Footprints On The Moon, which joins the likes of Shameless titles The Nurse and Killer Nun and, from Cult Films, Fjango and a spaghetti western box set released in 2024. Commenting on the title as well as the labels’ “thorough reboot, the company’s Garwin Spencer-Davidson said: “Footsteps On The Moon is rarely seen but it has an ardent cult following. We spent 2023 searching collecting and restoring new materials which has been exhausting in time and financial resources, we also sought and toured several encoding and authoring houses far and wide. And, as wished in that year's determination, it all appears to have paid off. The response has been sweepingly positive with thumbs going up everywhere. As Avforum said, “Shameless continue to leave their old ways well and truly behind them”. All Shameless releases now come with a striking o-card over the now iconic yell’o case!”
The start of the month of May also represented the start of a month-long promotion and activity from anime home entertainment, streaming, merchandise and more company Crunchyroll, with its Ani-May initiative. The activity will see “clothes, merchandise, DVDs, Blu-rays and more” available from the company, and to woo new fans of Japanese animation, the company is also offering its top 20 shows free to watch through its streaming service (they will be offered free, with ads). And what’s more, there’s also a month’s worth of activity across hmv’s 120 stores. In its announcement, Crunchyroll said: “The UK entertainment retailer will be rebranded for the month and will play host to the exclusive early release of shows on DVD and Blu-ray, such as: Mob Psycho Season 3, KONOSUBA - An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!, with limited editions available for select titles. Additionally, anime fans will have the opportunity to fully experience the Crunchyroll lifestyle and win a ‘money can’t buy’ prize: an amazing weekend in Paris with VIP access to Japan Expo.” Comment came from Crunchyroll’s VP for global consumer products Anna Songco Adamian who said: “The love and excitement around anime continues to grow and for Ani-May, we’re revealing a fresh lineup of apparel, home goods, and more to empower fans to live authentically into their fandom. We have lined up an incredible slate of international retail partners who, like us, are passionate about providing fans with a variety of ways to enjoy and display their love for their favourite films, series, and characters.”
The move comes as Crunchyroll unveiled its product slate in the UK for the coming months, with a raft of product due across Blu-ray and DVD. The slate kicks off with The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie on Blu-ray in May. June 3 sees KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World - The Complete Season (Blu-ray), Mob Psycho 100 III (Blu-ray, DVD and limited edition SKU) and The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World - The Complete Season (Blu-ray), while on June 10 there’s KONOSUBA - An Explosion on This Wonderful World! (Blu-ray and DVD), The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague - The Complete Season (Blu-ray), Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! - Seasons 1 and 2 (both on Blu0-ray, with aa limited edition Blu-ray and DVD of the second season too, June 17 has A Galaxy Next Door - The Complete Season (Blu-ray), Dead Mount Death Play - Part 1 (Blu-ray), Dr. STONE - Season 3 Part 1 (Blu-ray and DVD SKUs) and Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement - The Complete Season (Blu-ray). The final Monday of June, the 24th, sees BLUE LOCK Part 2 (Blu-ray and DVD) and My Home Hero - The Complete Season (Blu-ray). July 1 is the release for Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill - The Complete Season (Blu-ray) and Buddy Daddies - The Complete Season (Blu-ray), with One Piece: Collection 34 (Blu-ray and DVD) a week later. The Aristocrat's Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far - The Complete Season is due on July 15 on Blu-ray, with the 22nd bringing round Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear - Season 1 (Blu-ray), I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too - The Complete Season (Blu-ray) and The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World - The Complete Season (Blu-ray), The month’s releases end on July 29 with Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear - Punch! - Season 2 (Blu-ray) In Another World With My Smartphone - Season 2 (Blu-ray and DVD) and Vinland Saga - Season 2 Part 1 (Blu-ray). August ends the forthcoming announced slate, with Summoned to Another World for a Second Time - The Complete Season (Blu-ray) on August 5 and BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense - Season 2 across Blu0ray, DVD and limited edition SKUs on August 12. August 19 sees releases for Bungo Stray Dogs - Season 4 (Blu-ray), Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion - The Complete Season (Blu-ray) and Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon - Season 1 (Blu-ray), with August rounded off by Tomo-chan Is a Girl! - The Complete Season on Blu-ray, DVD and limited edition SKUs.
Sticking with Crunchyroll, it was interesting to note recently the Sony-owned anime specialist’s presentation to cinema owners and exhibitors at Cinema Con. Many of those present sat up and took notice when Crunchyroll told attendees that the anime business in all its forms will be worth $37 billion in 2025. Crunchyroll’s own US theatrical releases have earned more than $200 million at the box office since 2020. Its senior VP of global commerce Mitch Berger told Indiewire: ““We’ve had a couple of titles that have done well, so I think there’s an understanding that this type of thing works at the box office. What I love about theatre owners and this business is — we all to some level or another understand fan culture, it’s what we’ve built this on. I think anime fan culture is a whole different level.” During his presentation he noted: “Crunchyroll can fill a theatre. Whether on a Tuesday afternoon, a Thursday night, or even an opening-day Friday. Crunchyroll can build the hype, too. We talk to anime fans every single day. We don’t have to fire up our fanbase for a theatrical run. They’re already fired up.”
We’ll end where we started, with DEGI and in another announcement this week, the trade organisation, closely aligned with BASE, has announced that Johnnie Thompson, director of digital stores at Disney, is joining the board if the body as co-chair. Thompson, who had previously say in the board, said: “ he DEGI continues to play an increasingly important role in advancing the digital home entertainment industry by providing an essential forum to come together to share knowledge, insights and expertise. It’s a particularly exciting time to be in this business, and I’m looking forward to working alongside Ruth Sharpe as Co-Chair, and with the whole of the DEGI Board as its scope continues to grow.” Meanwhile, DEGI has also welcomed new members to the board, with Prime Video, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, Google, and Sky all now represented. The full make-up of the board is now Amy Jo Smith (DEGI: The Digital Entertainment Group International), Ana Iglesias (NBCUniversal). Andrew Stewart (Prime Video), Brandon DiMassa (NBCUniversal), David Hare (Amazon & MGM Studios), Ewa Voigt (Warner Bros. Discovery), Fahad Durrani (Google), Greg Tod (Paramount Pictures), Jesper Dahlgaard (Nordisk Film), Johnnie Thompson (The Walt Disney Company), Laura Broadbent (Sony Pictures Entertainment), Lesley Johnson (BBC Studios), Liz Bales (BASE/DEGI), Paul Newton (Sky), Robert Marsh (Sony Pictures Entertainment), Ruth Sharp (Warner Bros. Discovery) and Tom Reveler (Lionsgate).
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Let’s go Viggo…
The Lion King, the early years…
https://youtu.be/g8N7zH9w0XI?si=8tg7iy4FUNa86jPw Due from Signature…
A series in which stars of The Fall Guy work on marketing The Fall Guy…
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