Artsmagic DVD Asian Cinema - Your Film Suggestions
12-09-04, 04:02 AM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Artsmagic DVD Asian Cinema - Your Film Suggestions
At ArtsmagicDVD we're always asking customers and reviewers for their opinions and suggestions on the films we should be releasing.
Since our US launch in May 2004 we have had a great response and are currently chasing new titles that have been suggested.
We're also currently contacting a number of magazines & websites that people have suggested we should work with. If you have any suggestions please let us know.
Right, let me briefly tell you about our releases.
A full release schedule for upcoming films can be seen here: http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/home/schedule/index.html
Our full catalogue of currently available titles are here: http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/catalogue/index.html
November saw the release of two movies from ArtsmagicDVD in the US:
The Bird People In China (Trailer Online)
http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/thebirdpeopleinchina
“Really exhibits Miike’s true craftsmanship as a director.” - Cinema Nocturna
“A beautiful, lyrical, haunting film that should be of interest to anyone who loves great cinema.” - Monsters At Play
Blue Remains (Trailer Online)
http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/blueremains
“Highly imaginative and beautifully executed” - Roguecinema.com
“An amazingly entertaining adventure with gorgeous visuals and imagination to spare.” - Classics on DVD
OK, that's enough about what's coming out - feel free to fire away with any questions or suggestions!
Since our US launch in May 2004 we have had a great response and are currently chasing new titles that have been suggested.
We're also currently contacting a number of magazines & websites that people have suggested we should work with. If you have any suggestions please let us know.
Right, let me briefly tell you about our releases.
A full release schedule for upcoming films can be seen here: http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/home/schedule/index.html
Our full catalogue of currently available titles are here: http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/catalogue/index.html
November saw the release of two movies from ArtsmagicDVD in the US:
The Bird People In China (Trailer Online)
http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/thebirdpeopleinchina
“Really exhibits Miike’s true craftsmanship as a director.” - Cinema Nocturna
“A beautiful, lyrical, haunting film that should be of interest to anyone who loves great cinema.” - Monsters At Play
Blue Remains (Trailer Online)
http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/blueremains
“Highly imaginative and beautifully executed” - Roguecinema.com
“An amazingly entertaining adventure with gorgeous visuals and imagination to spare.” - Classics on DVD
OK, that's enough about what's coming out - feel free to fire away with any questions or suggestions!
12-09-04, 04:22 AM
#2
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you guys could get the rights to 6ixtynin9 (I suppose it also goes by Ruang talok 69) by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (the same director of Last Life in the Universe) I think I would wet myself. Youre website says you do Japanese film, but here you say anything Asian, and this is Thai, so I figure why not make this request. The movie won a few awards in Asian festivals and the only DVD I've ever seen is a Japanese R2 with no English subtitles. It would be nic to be able to ditch my VCD of this.
12-09-04, 05:42 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Oulu, Finland
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More Miike!
I think these are still without US distributor:
Blues Harp (1998)
Graveyard Of Honour (2002)
Guys From Paradise (2000)
Izo (2004)
Man In White, The / Yurusarezaru Mono (2003)
Onna Kunishuu Ikki (2002)
Village Of The Financially Damned / Shangri-La (2003)
Zebraman (2004)
I think these are still without US distributor:
Blues Harp (1998)
Graveyard Of Honour (2002)
Guys From Paradise (2000)
Izo (2004)
Man In White, The / Yurusarezaru Mono (2003)
Onna Kunishuu Ikki (2002)
Village Of The Financially Damned / Shangri-La (2003)
Zebraman (2004)
Last edited by Mikko Rasinkangas; 12-09-04 at 10:13 AM.
12-09-04, 09:51 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Mikko Rasinkangas
More Miike!
I think these are still without distributor:
Blues Harp (1998)
Graveyard Of Honour (2002)
Guys From Paradise (2000)
Izo (2004)
Man In White, The / Yurusarezaru Mono (2003)
Onna Kunishuu Ikki (2002)
Village Of The Financially Damned / Shangri-La (2003)
Zebraman (2004)
I think these are still without distributor:
Blues Harp (1998)
Graveyard Of Honour (2002)
Guys From Paradise (2000)
Izo (2004)
Man In White, The / Yurusarezaru Mono (2003)
Onna Kunishuu Ikki (2002)
Village Of The Financially Damned / Shangri-La (2003)
Zebraman (2004)
also another vote for more Miike movies.
12-09-04, 11:52 AM
#7
Originally Posted by asianxcore
isn't Graveyard of Honor out in R1 already?
Another vote for more Miike.
Originally Posted by Mikko Rasinkangas
Blues Harp (1998)
Graveyard Of Honour (2002)
Guys From Paradise (2000)
Izo (2004)
Man In White, The / Yurusarezaru Mono (2003)
Onna Kunishuu Ikki (2002)
Village Of The Financially Damned / Shangri-La (2003)
Zebraman (2004)
Graveyard Of Honour (2002)
Guys From Paradise (2000)
Izo (2004)
Man In White, The / Yurusarezaru Mono (2003)
Onna Kunishuu Ikki (2002)
Village Of The Financially Damned / Shangri-La (2003)
Zebraman (2004)
12-09-04, 12:02 PM
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I love the smell of empowerment in the morning........
Zatoichi #14 (the only one not yet released)
Zatoichi TV series
When the Rain Lifts (1999) - writing credit to Akira Kurosawa
Eyes of the Spider (1998) - directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Serpent's Path (1997) - directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Doraheita (2000) - directed by Kon Ichikawa
The Burmese Harp (1956) - directed by Kon Ichikawa
Fires on the Plain (aka: Nobi (1959)) - directed by Kon Ichikawa
The Ambitious (1970) - directed by Daisuke Ito, Toshiro Mifune is in it
Hitokiri (aka: Tenchu (1969)) - directed by Hideo Gosha
Goyokin (1969) - directed by Hideo Gosha
Welcome to the forum ArtsmagicDVD.
Zatoichi #14 (the only one not yet released)
Zatoichi TV series
When the Rain Lifts (1999) - writing credit to Akira Kurosawa
Eyes of the Spider (1998) - directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Serpent's Path (1997) - directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Doraheita (2000) - directed by Kon Ichikawa
The Burmese Harp (1956) - directed by Kon Ichikawa
Fires on the Plain (aka: Nobi (1959)) - directed by Kon Ichikawa
The Ambitious (1970) - directed by Daisuke Ito, Toshiro Mifune is in it
Hitokiri (aka: Tenchu (1969)) - directed by Hideo Gosha
Goyokin (1969) - directed by Hideo Gosha
Welcome to the forum ArtsmagicDVD.
12-09-04, 12:11 PM
#9
DVD Talk Gold Edition
and a few more.........
At the Risk of My Life (1971)- directed by Masaki Kobayashi
Hymn to a Tired Man (1968)- directed by Masaki Kobayashi
The Inheritance (1962) - directed by...you guessed it...Masaki Kobayashi
At the Risk of My Life (1971)- directed by Masaki Kobayashi
Hymn to a Tired Man (1968)- directed by Masaki Kobayashi
The Inheritance (1962) - directed by...you guessed it...Masaki Kobayashi
12-09-04, 01:11 PM
#12
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Well, you did say "Asian" and not just Japanese so here are some more......
Yellow Earth (1984 - China) - directed by Chen Kaige
Red Sorghum (1987 - China) - directed by Zhang Yimou
One and Eight (1984 - China) - directed by Zhang Jun-zhao
The Horse Thief (1986 - China) - directed by Tian Zhuang-zhuang
The Last Eunuch (1991 - China) - directed by Tian Zhuang-zhuang
Burning Paradise (1994 - Hong Kong) - directed by Ringo Lam (not yet released in R1)
If not Artsmagic, hopefully someone out there is listening and can act upon it - my wallet is waiting.
Yellow Earth (1984 - China) - directed by Chen Kaige
Red Sorghum (1987 - China) - directed by Zhang Yimou
One and Eight (1984 - China) - directed by Zhang Jun-zhao
The Horse Thief (1986 - China) - directed by Tian Zhuang-zhuang
The Last Eunuch (1991 - China) - directed by Tian Zhuang-zhuang
Burning Paradise (1994 - Hong Kong) - directed by Ringo Lam (not yet released in R1)
If not Artsmagic, hopefully someone out there is listening and can act upon it - my wallet is waiting.
12-10-04, 08:37 AM
#13
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Akio Jissoji's This Transient Life (1970)
I've never seen this film, but ever since reading the review at Midnight Eye, I've been hoping for the opportunity to view it. Here's the review and brief excerpts:
http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/t...ientlife.shtml
I've never seen this film, but ever since reading the review at Midnight Eye, I've been hoping for the opportunity to view it. Here's the review and brief excerpts:
http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/t...ientlife.shtml
This Transient Life was the most successful film of the early ATG years and by winning the Grand Prix at the Locarno film festival in 1970 it also earned international acknowledgement. Together with Yukio Mishima's Yukoku (1966; also distributed by ATG) This Transient Life was the most controversially discussed film at the FIPRESCI conference about "Eroticism and Violence in Cinema" in Milan in October 1970. However, for some unfathomable reason the film soon fell into oblivion and is still waiting to be rediscovered as one of the masterpieces of Japanese cinema.
This Transient Life tells the story of the siblings Masao and Yuri who live in a huge estate near Lake Biwa north of Kyoto. Masao refuses to go to university and is infatuated with Buddhist sculptures. Iwashita, a student who lodges at the house, and Ogino, a young priest and former classmate of Masao, are both in love with Masao's beautiful sister Yuri, who rejects all proposals from her parents to marry her off. One day, while being alone in the big house and playing with No-masks, Masao and Yuri end up in a passionate embrace. Thus starts their forbidden relation that soon bears fruit. When Yuri gets pregnant the siblings plot a perfidious plan...
This Transient Life is remarkable in several ways. Jissoji employs a very unique film language with daring camera angles and breathtaking camera movements. The restlessness of the pictures corresponds with the transience of life that gives the film its title: mujo is a Buddhist term that refers to the belief that nothing in this world lasts forever, but that everything is transient and fleeting. [T]his belief formed the basis of Japanese aesthetics as described in the writings of the Zen priest Dogen and other medieval philosophers. Jissoji tried to find a filmic equivalent to this transience.
Akio Jissoji's importance for Japanese cinema can be compared to that of Christian directors like Carl Dreyer or Robert Bresson for European cinema. But whereas Dreyer and Bresson are luminaries on the cinematic firmament, the star of Akio Jissoji still shines in the hidden.
This Transient Life tells the story of the siblings Masao and Yuri who live in a huge estate near Lake Biwa north of Kyoto. Masao refuses to go to university and is infatuated with Buddhist sculptures. Iwashita, a student who lodges at the house, and Ogino, a young priest and former classmate of Masao, are both in love with Masao's beautiful sister Yuri, who rejects all proposals from her parents to marry her off. One day, while being alone in the big house and playing with No-masks, Masao and Yuri end up in a passionate embrace. Thus starts their forbidden relation that soon bears fruit. When Yuri gets pregnant the siblings plot a perfidious plan...
This Transient Life is remarkable in several ways. Jissoji employs a very unique film language with daring camera angles and breathtaking camera movements. The restlessness of the pictures corresponds with the transience of life that gives the film its title: mujo is a Buddhist term that refers to the belief that nothing in this world lasts forever, but that everything is transient and fleeting. [T]his belief formed the basis of Japanese aesthetics as described in the writings of the Zen priest Dogen and other medieval philosophers. Jissoji tried to find a filmic equivalent to this transience.
Akio Jissoji's importance for Japanese cinema can be compared to that of Christian directors like Carl Dreyer or Robert Bresson for European cinema. But whereas Dreyer and Bresson are luminaries on the cinematic firmament, the star of Akio Jissoji still shines in the hidden.
Last edited by Richard Malloy; 12-10-04 at 08:40 AM.
12-11-04, 07:24 AM
#14
DVD Talk Gold Edition
So I'm greedy.......couldn't resist nominating a few more:
Gate of Hell (1953) - directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa
The Assassination of Ryoma (1974) - directed by Kazuo Kuroki
Ballad of Narayama (1983) - directed by Shohei Imamura
Pigs and Battleships (1961) - directed by Shohei Imamura
Ugetsu (1953) - directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Sansho the Bailiff (1954) - directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Tales of the Taira Clan (1955) - directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
ArtsmagicDVD, I'd also like to recommend that after you feel this discussion has run its course in this forum that you e-mail one of the moderators and ask them to move this thread to the "International DVD Talk" forum so it could get another look over there. Most of those who have responded to this so far are active contributors in the International forum so that may be a better place for a continued look at your request (or at the least, hopefully a couple of "second nominations" for the films suggested).
In any case, thank you for the opportunity to make our voices heard (I wouldn't mind if more in the industry followed this model). Over the coming months, I will follow your "release schedule" with both eager anticipation and the hope that we see at least some of the titles suggested.
Gate of Hell (1953) - directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa
The Assassination of Ryoma (1974) - directed by Kazuo Kuroki
Ballad of Narayama (1983) - directed by Shohei Imamura
Pigs and Battleships (1961) - directed by Shohei Imamura
Ugetsu (1953) - directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Sansho the Bailiff (1954) - directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Tales of the Taira Clan (1955) - directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
ArtsmagicDVD, I'd also like to recommend that after you feel this discussion has run its course in this forum that you e-mail one of the moderators and ask them to move this thread to the "International DVD Talk" forum so it could get another look over there. Most of those who have responded to this so far are active contributors in the International forum so that may be a better place for a continued look at your request (or at the least, hopefully a couple of "second nominations" for the films suggested).
In any case, thank you for the opportunity to make our voices heard (I wouldn't mind if more in the industry followed this model). Over the coming months, I will follow your "release schedule" with both eager anticipation and the hope that we see at least some of the titles suggested.
12-15-04, 06:14 AM
#18
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Artsmagic DVD - Your Film Suggestions
Hi,
First of all - what an amazing response. We would like to thank those who have taken time in asking us questions and putting forward your suggestions. We also like to say thanks to those of you who've written positive comments on what ArtsmagicDVD has done to date.
We're striving to achieve the best quality we can when bringing these previously unreleased titles to the North American and UK audience. We are very strong believers that these Japanese releases are deserving of our attention and attempt to furnish them with as many extras as we can get our hands on.
- In reply to DrGerbil's Question:
Someone else has the rights to Pornostar. This is a title frequently requested.
- In reply to Mikko Rasinkangas's Question:
No, we don't hold the rights for MPD or Adness.
All your film suggestions have been passed onto Gerry (the boss) who reads through them, looking for those gems that have yet to be released.
- Here is Gerry's reply to suggestions that have been posted here:
The quick answer is, no. A lot of Mizoguchi, including those listed below, we believe, is with Criterion, as is a lot of Gosha. Pigs and Battleships and Ballad of Narayama are already taken, probably Criterion again. Damn! Burmese Harp and Fires on the Plain also gone. We're full till next summer with Mochizuki and Aoyama. Then we hope to have a couple of short seasons dedicated to the two most requested directors from the forums to date. We're not being secretive but people get annoyed if you make announcement before the deal is signed, and can even break off negotiations. You have posted some excellent suggestions, and we are working on about 10 of the titles, but that doesn't always mean much. Let's hope some of them work out.
So keep those suggestions coming!!
If you have any questions or suggestions, please post them via this thread.
First of all - what an amazing response. We would like to thank those who have taken time in asking us questions and putting forward your suggestions. We also like to say thanks to those of you who've written positive comments on what ArtsmagicDVD has done to date.
We're striving to achieve the best quality we can when bringing these previously unreleased titles to the North American and UK audience. We are very strong believers that these Japanese releases are deserving of our attention and attempt to furnish them with as many extras as we can get our hands on.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- In reply to DrGerbil's Question:
Someone else has the rights to Pornostar. This is a title frequently requested.
- In reply to Mikko Rasinkangas's Question:
No, we don't hold the rights for MPD or Adness.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
All your film suggestions have been passed onto Gerry (the boss) who reads through them, looking for those gems that have yet to be released.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Here is Gerry's reply to suggestions that have been posted here:
The quick answer is, no. A lot of Mizoguchi, including those listed below, we believe, is with Criterion, as is a lot of Gosha. Pigs and Battleships and Ballad of Narayama are already taken, probably Criterion again. Damn! Burmese Harp and Fires on the Plain also gone. We're full till next summer with Mochizuki and Aoyama. Then we hope to have a couple of short seasons dedicated to the two most requested directors from the forums to date. We're not being secretive but people get annoyed if you make announcement before the deal is signed, and can even break off negotiations. You have posted some excellent suggestions, and we are working on about 10 of the titles, but that doesn't always mean much. Let's hope some of them work out.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
So keep those suggestions coming!!
If you have any questions or suggestions, please post them via this thread.
12-15-04, 12:04 PM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: True North Strong & Free
Posts: 23,243
Received 2,211 Likes
on
1,510 Posts
Some very good recommendations have been already mentioned, so instead, I'm going to take the "low road" and suggest looking into getting some of the Nikkatsu Roman-Porno films from the 1970's to early 80's. Along those lines, I've heard that you're already planning to release the ANGEL GUTS series next year, which I'm really looking forward to picking up. 
If that release does well for you, hopefully you will consider more from the genre.
If that release does well for you, hopefully you will consider more from the genre.
12-15-04, 03:48 PM
#22
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wanted to post about the "Black Society Trilogy". I bought this nearly "blind", having only ever seen "Ley Lines"... and absolutely loving it. I figured that at the fairly reasonable price for this set, even if I only liked one of the other two flicks, it'd be worth it.
So I watched "Rainy Dog" the other night. Wow. I like it every bit as much as "Ley Lines". These earlier Miike films seem quite a bit different than his latest, and I think I may prefer them, generally speaking. I love that brooding, existential loner stuff, and they remind me just a bit of Wong Kar-Wai's films from that era (which I also love).
"Shinjuku Triad Society" seems a bit different in mood than the other two, but even if I don't care for it so much, this'll still be a worthwhile purchase!
And thanks a million for "The Bird People in China" -- beats the hell out of the "custom" DVD I previously had!
If I could make only one suggestion/criticism... it seems that none of the Artsmagic DVDs are flagged for progressive scan. As I understand it, these are just flags inserted during the encoding process so that the framerate can be given the ol' 3:2 pulldown. It really makes a difference in terms of the smoothness of movement, particularly during fast pans and tracking shots. I know it seems extra picky, especially with regard to low-budget v-cinema stuff like this, but I don't think it requires any additional time/expense (or at least nothing substantial) to so flag your discs... only the will to do so, as someone once said! At any rate, I think it would be worthwhile to look into it.
Oh yeah... Akio Jissoji's "This Transient Life" (1970)!
So I watched "Rainy Dog" the other night. Wow. I like it every bit as much as "Ley Lines". These earlier Miike films seem quite a bit different than his latest, and I think I may prefer them, generally speaking. I love that brooding, existential loner stuff, and they remind me just a bit of Wong Kar-Wai's films from that era (which I also love).
"Shinjuku Triad Society" seems a bit different in mood than the other two, but even if I don't care for it so much, this'll still be a worthwhile purchase!
And thanks a million for "The Bird People in China" -- beats the hell out of the "custom" DVD I previously had!
If I could make only one suggestion/criticism... it seems that none of the Artsmagic DVDs are flagged for progressive scan. As I understand it, these are just flags inserted during the encoding process so that the framerate can be given the ol' 3:2 pulldown. It really makes a difference in terms of the smoothness of movement, particularly during fast pans and tracking shots. I know it seems extra picky, especially with regard to low-budget v-cinema stuff like this, but I don't think it requires any additional time/expense (or at least nothing substantial) to so flag your discs... only the will to do so, as someone once said! At any rate, I think it would be worthwhile to look into it.
Oh yeah... Akio Jissoji's "This Transient Life" (1970)!
Last edited by Richard Malloy; 12-15-04 at 03:50 PM.
12-16-04, 12:21 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Oulu, Finland
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
- In reply to Mikko Rasinkangas's Question:
No, we don't hold the rights for MPD or Adness.
No, we don't hold the rights for MPD or Adness.
Anyhow, the films are being released in the UK and US next year. I don't know the UK distributor for them, but the US dvd distributor is Adness.
12-16-04, 01:05 AM
#25
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 1436 Florence Blvd.
Posts: 2,147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ArtsmagicDVD
- In reply to DrGerbil's Question:
Someone else has the rights to Pornostar. This is a title frequently requested.
Someone else has the rights to Pornostar. This is a title frequently requested.