Ron:

This issues was discussed quite some time ago and as FilmFanSea mentiones...it gest a bit tricky here. Paramount did release the video version but...since then lots of things have changed including a possible DVD release...

To sum it all up...I have given up on arguing about this title (and just about any other European release) and why it is not present on the market. This film is considered (arguably) a "classic" by many art house fans and IT HAS been released once already on video. Now try to understand why so many current European films are not on the market in the US...YOU WON'T. I makes no sense whatsoever.

Regards,
Pro-B

Pro-B--

I know what you mean. That's why I'll just go for a region two DVD if I can't find it here. From what I can tell, it's not even available on DVD in France--I checked amazon.fr and amazon.co.uk. I would have thought there would at least have been a region two release, and I would have just ordered it that way.

Which raises a question--anyone know why many of the DVDs at amazon.fr are not subtitled in English, while most of those available at amazon.co.uk are subtitled in French?


Thanks again for all the help,

Ron

Ron-

I converted my VHS (played only one, pristine condition) to DVD. I don't know how any of the legalities work, but I could send you a copy for use in your class. It's not perfect, but it's as good as a clean VHS copy can be. I also copied the movie directly to DVD from IFC when it aired, and I think that is even better quality. Alternately, I would be willing to send you my VHS copy to use.

Joe

This has been discussed many times (I have answered it quite a few times as well) but it has to do with distribution rights. Alas...not THAT many films on Amazon.uk offer French subs...maybe some of the titles you looked at.

Bottom line you might want to look into the international section of TALK. You shall find plenty of info regarding your question(s).

Regards,
Pro-B

Reviving this thread to mention THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE will be on the Independent Film Channel tonight Wednesday May 4th at 11 P.M and again at 3 A.M. according to their schedule.

I saw this was revived and thought there was some good news about a dvd release. Damn it. I want this so bad.

Yes, I declare a tease by this revivification! Grrr!

thanks. will tivo it off directv. perhaps the PQ will be better than my laserdisc.

It will sure beat the only official DVD version on the market...the dreadful Italian pan/scan disc.



There have been speculations (for some time now) that MK2 is working on the rights issue.

Ciao,
Pro-B

Interesting to note from the IFC broadcast that Miramax appears to be the rights-holder. Curious that Annette Insdorf was told that they didn't have the rights. So, once again, given the relative success of the Three Colors box set, what's the holdup with The Double Life of Veronique?

if you're basing that on seeing the miramax logo before the film, it also precedes the film on my laserdisc from paramount home video. in fact, the transfer broadcast on IFC tonight was identical to the early 90's transfer used to master the LD -- yellow subtitles, incorrect aspect ratio and other recognizable flaws.

Yeah I was surprised and disappointed IFC didn't have a better print to air though hopefully it gave some curious people a chance to see the movie. The VHS is the only version I've seen from way back when but it made me an instant Kieslowski fan. Here's hoping we get that DVD sometime soon from whoever owns it.

Ahh ... thanks for the correction. So we're back at square one: Who owns the rights to this film?

I believe that nothing has changed and Miramax does indeed own the home rights for the film. There is some involvement by Paramount however and that is where the confusion stems from. The sad part is that the people that need to confirm the status of the rights are actually the ones that are most confused with the issue.

Regards,
Pro-b

I totally forgot about it and caught it midway through. Fortunately I was able to set the TiVo to pickup the later airing. I'm looking forward to it.

Looked like hell on IFC.....completely red, cropped, yecch!

I was able to watch about the first 30 minutes last night and noticed the same thing. What's with it being so red? I assume that wasn't some kind of artistic decision because it was horrible.

well the film does have a highly stylized, almost sepia, look to it -- this is by the same cinematpgrapher that did A Short Fim About Killing. however, as others have pointed out, the IFC broadcast was far from an accurate presentation.

You bumped this 2 month old thread to say that?

this film tops my list for films unavailable on DVD. so here, i'm thinking "hey! maybe some news on a release!".

popcorn, it looks like you sufficiently embarrassed the poster into deleting their reply. what did it say?

It said something along the lines of "I wish this would come out already".

I thought I made a post last night...but i don't see it here...hmm.

Well, there are very strong indications that MK2 will release the film in 2006. This is not a simple rumor, in fact it was mentioned in an article in Le Figaro...but I can not find it. I will spend more time lately to see if I could dig it up.

Pro-B

Nearly one year after this thread was started, and there is still no Region 1 release on the horizon.

However ...

In the UK (Region 2/PAL), Artificial Eye will be releasing The Double Life of Véronique on April 24th, 2006.

Listed special features:

*Conversation with Kieslowski
*Interview with Irene Jacob
*'Kieslowski, Polish Filmmaker' documentary
*Short films: 'The Musicians' (1958) / 'Factory' (1970) / 'Hospital' (1976) / 'Railway Station' (1980)

Artwork:


In addition, in France, mk2 will be releasing the film on DVD February 22nd. It appears the French release will contain English subtitles and most of the same extras as the Artificial Eye edition---which is likely a port of the mk2 (both are encoded Region 2 PAL).
Artwork:



If you are a fan of international cinema, and for some reason you don't already own a Region-free DVD player, here is yet another excellent reason to buy one.

Can't wait to get this one. I can finally retire the old Paramount laserdisc.