Already filling in the year with long-awaited films like Terrence Malick’s “Badlands,” and Alex Cox’s cult-classic “Repo Man,” renowned home video distributor The Criterion Collection has consistently impressed with its 2013 releases. Now, the company has announced its next crop of releases for the month of July, and the company continues to impress, adding films by Peter Brook, Ang Lee, and Guillermo Del Toro among others to their 2013 slate.
First up on July 9 is famed Japanese director Kenji Mizoguchi’s “The Life of Oharu.” The first film to gain the director international acclaim and a major turning point in the director’s career, “Oharu” stars Kinuyo Tanaka as an imperial woman-in-waiting who gradually descends into street prostitution. The packaging additionally includes Koko Kajiama’s 2009 documentary “Kinuyo Tanaka’s New Departure,” as well as an audio essay and introductory commentary track.
Next on July 16, the company will release experimental theater director Peter Brook’s adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, “Lord of the Flies.” The 1963 film, commonly regarded as a masterpiece, is one of the most provocative translations ever put on film, characterized by the raw primitivism of both its subjects and Brook’s style, beautifully restored in 4k for the new release.
July 23rd will see both the long-awaited release of Gabriel Axel’s Oscar-winning, food-obsessed treasure “Babette’s Feast” and the Criterion Blu-ray release of Ang Lee’s acclaimed story of upper-middle-class American malaise “The Ice Storm.” “Babette’s Feast,” will feature a new 2k restoration of the film and a documentary with the author of the film’s source story.
Finally, July 30th marks the second film of Guillermo del Toro to enter the collection following his 2001 Civil War horror film, “The Devil’s Backbone.” The film centers on a young child who in the final weeks of the Spanish Civil War is sent to a haunted, rural orphanage and must confront the secrets of the building’s history. Many see the film as a precursor to his Oscar-nominated “Pan’s Labyrinth,” and the new release features audio commentaries, introductions, and interviews with the director.
Check out the full slate of Criterion’s upcoming releases at their website here.
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