As we approach the half-way mark in June, it’s clear that 2020 isn’t going so hot. Good news is in short supply, as the world deals with a pandemic and the US is in the middle of a social uprising. But if you’re a film fan, at least you have the Criterion Collection releases, as the company consistently gives us something to look forward to month after month. And in September, there’s plenty to get excited about.
The Criterion Collection kicks off fall with some pretty great releases, headlined by the 40th-anniversary release of David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man.” The film’s Blu-ray release is packed with special features, as you might expect from a Criterion release. However, the biggest selling point for this anniversary disc is the brand-new 4K restoration of the 1980 film. As we’ve pointed out in a previous article, the 4K restoration of “The Elephant Man” looks incredible and this is your first chance to purchase the version on Blu-ray.
In addition to “The Elephant Man,” Criterion is also releasing Claire Denis’ acclaimed 1999 feature, “Beau Travail.” Much like Lynch’s film, “Beau Travail” joins the Criterion Collection sporting a brand-new 4K restoration. And though that is probably reason enough to buy the disc, the film also sports incredible special features, including a new conversation between Denis and filmmaker Barry Jenkins, new selected scene commentary with Director of Photography Agnès Godard, new interviews with actors Denis Lavant and Grégoire Colin, a new video essay by film scholar Judith Mayne, and new English subtitle translation.
But wait, there’s more!
Criterion is also releasing the third volume of “Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project.” This new disc includes 4K restorations of all six films, including Héctor Babenco’s “Pixote,” Humerto Solás’ “Lucía,” Usmar Ismail’s “After the Curfew,” Bahram Beyzaie’s “Downpour,” Med Hondo’s “Soleil Ô,” and Juan Bustillo Oro’s “Dos Monjes.” Also, there are new introductions for each by Scorsese, as well as a slew of special features.
Joining all these films are two noirs from Jules Dassin, “Brute Force” and “The Naked City,” as well as Francesco Rosi’s “Christ Stopped at Eboli.”
So, even though the world might seem as if it’s falling apart, at least cinephiles will have plenty to keep them busy with in September.