Criterion revives Eclipse with a 17-film Blu-ray collection of Abbas Kiarostami.
In a world where physical media often seems bleak, positive news can have a significant impact. A great example is the Criterion Collection's announcement of the revival of their Eclipse series, which dedicated over a decade to advancing film education just as much (if not more) than the company's primary releases. If you've delved into the early works of Kurosawa, the latter films of Ozu, Robert Downey Sr.'s notable films, or Larisa Shepitko's contributions, you likely owe it to Eclipse's thoughtfully designed and visually appealing sets, making their absence since 2018 somewhat disheartening. While streaming has proven to be a more practical (and honestly versatile) exhibition option, the benefits of physical media still hold strong.
Eclipse is returning in grand style: Criterion will launch a collection of 17 of Abbas Kiarostami’s early films this November, marking the series’ debut on Blu-ray. The company states that this move “reaffirms its commitment to making the full richness of film history accessible with the reliable permanence of physical media.” This commitment extends to future releases, which will include six films by Kinuyo Tanaka, five documentaries from Kazuo Hara and Sachiko Kobayashi, the early works of Ruben Östlund, projects by Sara Gómez, along with remastered versions of Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy and Ernst Lubitsch’s musicals.
Spend enough time immersed in cinema (a term used quite literally), and you'll come to realize––to borrow from George Harrison––the more you discover, the more you comprehend how little you actually know; it's likely that many reading this haven’t experienced most of these early Kiarostami films, which can illuminate and invigorate as much as his established works. The prospect of where this initiative could lead and how it might enrich film culture is… well, it’s wise not to raise expectations too high, but I find it exciting to think about nonetheless.
See the artwork below and more at Criterion:
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Criterion revives Eclipse with a 17-film Blu-ray collection of Abbas Kiarostami.
In a time when the realm of physical media frequently feels bleak, positive updates can resonate strongly. For example, the Criterion Collection has revealed the revival of their Eclipse series, which dedicated more than a decade to promoting film education, perhaps even more effectively than the main line of releases. If you've delved into early