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Release: August 13, 2019

$7.99

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Adapted from Émile Zola s novel of the same name, L Argent is an all-too-timely work of filmmaking loosely based off of the 1882 collapse of Union Générale bank, which subsequently crashed the stock market and plunged France into a decade-long recession. Helmed by Marcel L Herbier, one of the original members of French cinema s avant-garde, the film uses Zola s tale of mid-1800s stock market speculation to comment on the 1920s greed-fueled fascination with global economies. The story centers on the unscrupulous Nicolas Saccard, played by Pierre Alcover, who makes a bad bet, loses his societal standing and his mistress, and tries to recoup it all by backing an aviator with a daredevil plan to cross the Atlantic to exploit raw materials in the New World. L Argent is L Herbier s silent-era swan song. Known for his ability to translate artistic and innovative sensibilities into commercial fare, L Herbier designed the film to compete with the super-productions coming out of France, United States, and Germany at the time. It is thus bursting with state-of-the-art techniques, a big-name international cast, 1500 extras, and was shot by France s highest paid cameraman at the time, Jules Krüger. L Herbier made use of a dozen cameramen flying on pulleys and dollies, as well as an unmanned camera that descended and revolved to capture the stock exchange in full frenzy. Even as the pilot embarks on his trans-Atlantic flight, action on the stock market floor intensifies in a montage of Eisensteinian proportions. L Argent was forgotten by many until it was reconstructed in the 1970s, and did not receive a proper preservation until the 1990s. Now, thanks to Lobster Films with the support of Marie-Ange L Herbier (the director s daughter), the French CNC and SACEM, the original camera negative of this silent classic has been rescanned at a pristine 4K resolution. Flicker Alley s publication of L Argent features a new score from Olivier Massot, preformed by the National Orchestra of Lyon under the direction of Timothy Brock, and an earlier orchestral adaptation from Rodney Sauer, preformed by the Mont Alto Orchestra. Also included in this deluxe edition is The Making of L Argent, one of the first-ever behind-the-scenes documentaries of a feature film. This bonus featurette, complete with a new 4K restoration from the original 35mm elements, and two new musical compositions, including a fascinating score by Tempsion, is a masterpiece in itself. BONUS MATERIALS INCLUDE: The Making of L Argent (Autour de L Argent) : A pioneering documentary, directed by L Herbier s assistant Jean Dreville, featuring incredible footage of the cast and crew during the actual production as well as the director s comments recorded later in 1971 (39 minutes). The Two Restorations of Autour de L Argent : A restoration demonstration of Autour de L Argent with Serge Bromberg (5 min) Prometheus Banker (Prométhée Banquier) : A perfect thematic complement to L Argent, complete with new restoration, this short film by Marcel L Herbier tells the story of a banker-seducing vampire (15 minutes). Souvenir Booklet : Featuring an essay by Mireille Beaulieu and collection of unique photographs and promotional material recently discovered in Mrs. L Herbier s collection. Photo Gallery : A slide show presentation of vintage marketing materials, behind-the-scene stills and more from L Argent . Top Similar From the Brand Reviews L'Argent

Release: December 8, 2020

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Description

Robert Bresson plumbs great reservoirs of feeling with Mouchette, one of the most searing portraits of human desperation ever put on film. With a dying mother, an absent, alcoholic father, and a baby brother in need of care, the teenage Mouchette seeks solace and respite from her circumstances in the nature of the French countryside and daily routine. Bresson deploys his trademark minimalist style to heartbreaking effect in this essential work of French filmmaking, a hugely empathetic drama that elevates its trapped protagonist into one of the cinema’s most memorable tragic figures. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES • New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack • Audio commentary from 2006 by film scholar, critic, and festival programmer Tony Rayns • Au hasard Bresson, a 1967 documentary by Theodor Kotulla, featuring director Robert Bresson on the set of Mouchette • Segment of a 1967 episode of the French television series Cinéma, featuring on-set interviews with Bresson and actors Nadine Nortier and Jean-Claude Guilbert • Original theatrical trailer, cut by Jean-Luc Godard • PLUS: An essay by critic and poet Robert Polito Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Mouchette (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Release: July 10, 2023

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Pacifiction - On the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, the High Commissioner of the Republic and French government official De Roller (Benoît Magimel) is a calculating man with flawless manners. His somewhat broad perception of his role brings him to navigate the high end ’establishment’ as well as shady venues where he mingles with the locals. Especially since a persistent rumor has been going around: the sighting of a submarine whose ghostly presence could herald the return of French nuclear testing. DIRECTOR: Albert Serra YEAR: 2022 RUN TIME: 162 minutes COUNTRY: France PACIFICTION