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Kino launches Kino Repertory: New Label Specializing in Restorations of Classic and Cult Titles
Posted August 29, 2016 03:37 PM by
Kino Lorber has announced the creation of a theatrical repertory label dedicated to releasing restored classics and sought-after cult films, as well as acquiring new catalog titles and tapping onto the company's long-curated library of over 1,500 titles.
Kino Lorber Repertory starts with a mandate to re-release 10 to 12 titles a year in select theaters nationwide, allowing these important works of cinema to connect with audiences in the theatrical space. All titles will eventually become available on home media and digital outlets, via Kino Lorber's already existing relationships with all key digital and physical media partners.
The label will be curated by Jonathan Hertzberg, the company's Director of Repertory Sales and Acquisitions. Hertzberg will also spearhead the label's sales and marketing efforts, under CEO Richard Lorber and Senior VP Wendy Lidell. "Kino Lorber Repertory will give us a dedicated spotlight for our ever-growing list of classics and cult films, and also remind exhibitors and audiences of the many wonderful, historically-significant titles already in our catalog," Hertzberg says.
The label's first release, slated for September, 2016, is the "Canuxploitation" favorite The Pit, a 1981 horror film that has built up a sizable cult audience over the years. It will play in Alamo Drafthouse cinemas, as well as other venues, nationwide in October, leading up to its Blu-ray premiere on the Kino Lorber Studio Classics label.
Following this release is Philip Kaufman's The Wanderers, the beloved 1979 gang drama based upon Richard Price's debut novel. The Wanderers will premiere in Kaufman's home town of San Francisco in November, followed by dates in New York and around the country, with several of these screenings featuring the direct involvement of Kaufman, Price, Karen Allen and other key members of the production.
Both re-releases are based on new 2K restorations sourced from archival materials.
Future titles on the Kino Lorber Repertory slate will be a Lina Wertmuller retrospective with seven titles, including new restorations of Seven Beauties and Swept Away, Jean-Luc Godard's La Chinoise and Le Gai Savoir, Andrey Zvyagintsev's The Return and The Banishment, several new Lobster Films restorations of Buster Keaton favorites, and Josef von Sternberg's long unavailable final film, Anatahan.
Josef von Sternberg's Anatahan, Andrey Zvyagintsev's The Return, Lina Wertmüller's Seven Beauties, and Jean-Luc Godard's La Chinoise are absulute classics!
How about missing Bunuel titles such as 'Diary Of A Chambermaid' and 'The Phantom Of Liberty'. Criterion released these on DVD but I understand they've lost the rights to them and I have no idea who owns them now.
Somebody please release The Assassination Bureau ltd. (1969) on Blu-ray. I don't care if it's not cleaned up at all, I just need it on my shelf because my collection can never be complete without the likes of Assassination Bureau, Young Sherlock Holmes and a handful of other absolute essentials. What kind of a world do we live in where Cobra's been available for years, but we're still waiting for Around The World In 80 Days (1956)?
I'm not hugely excited for Wanderers, because it's been out in Germany for a good while, but I'm hopeful there'll be a fair few gems coming from Kino Repertory.
Actually, a few not unrealistic possibilities have popped into mind.... The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Hell Drivers (1957), Take The Money and Run (1969), The Projectionist (1971), Radioland Murders (1994), An Awfully Big Adventure (1994) a Kenneth Branagh double of In The Bleak Midwinter (1995) & Love's Labour's Lost (2000) a Peter Hyams double of Hanover Street (1979) & Stay Tuned (1992) and a Neil Jordan double of Angel (1982) & The Miracle (1991)
Criterion has "Dersu Uzala" -- it's on Filmstruck, their upcoming streaming site.
StudioCanal owns the rights to "Diary Of A Chambermaid" and "The Phantom Of Liberty," so Lionsgate has the U.S. home video rights. Hopefully Criterion or another boutique label can arrange releases at some point.
No one is jumping on any wagons. People are going deep to remaster and restore important and cult/favorite films so that they can see proper Blu-ray releases.
The boutique labels have been doing some terrific work this year. Vinegar Syndrome in particular have been enormously impressive.
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