IT CAME FROM THE BOTTOM SHELF!

The Cohen Film Collection from Cohen Media Group is one of the best boutique video labels for classic, foreign, and art film titles.  In fact, their Blu-ray release of the 4K restoration of The Old Dark House (1932) was my favorite Blu-ray of 2017.

Two new 4K restorations are scheduled to be released from Cohen in the next couple of months, and I consider them both “must buy” essential titles.  Here are the trailers and the details we have thus far on these special upcoming Blu-rays:

La Belle Noiseuse (1991)

Release Date: May 8th

Synopsis: One of the New Wave’s greatest directors, Jacques Rivette creates a powerful, passionate film about an artist seeking truth, regardless of the cost.  The former famous painter Frenhofer revisits an abandoned project using the girlfriend of a young visiting artist. Questions about truth, life, and artistic limits are explored.  Starring Michel Piccoli, Emmanuelle Béart, and Jane Birkin.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
• Two-disc Blu-ray set featuring the complete original four-hour version of La Belle Noiseuse
• Video interview with director Jacques Rivette
• Video interview with co-writers Pascal Bonitzer and Christine Laurent
• Audio commentary track by film historian Richard Suchenski
• 4K Restoration 2017 theatrical re-release original trailer
• Optional English subtitles for the main feature

King of Hearts (1966)

Release Date: June 12th

Synopsis: During World War I, Scottish soldier Private Plumpick is sent on a mission to a village in the French countryside to disarm a bomb set by the retreating German army. Plumpick encounters a strange town occupied by the former residents of the local psychiatric hospital who escaped after the villagers deserted. Assuming roles like Bishop, Duke, barber, and circus ringmaster, they warmly accept the visitor as their King of Hearts. With his reconnaissance and bomb-defusing mission looming, Plumpick starts to prefer the acceptance of the insane locals over the insanity of the war raging outside. Since its debut, King of Hearts has become a worldwide cult favorite and stands out as one of Philippe de Broca’s most memorable films. Fifty years after its original release, this satirical look at the absurdities of war is presented in a gorgeous new 4K restoration for modern audiences to discover.  Starring Alan Bates, Genevieve Bujold, Adolfo Celi, Françoise Christophe, Jean-Claude Brialy, Michel Serrault, Micheline Presle, and Pierre Brasseur.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM under the supervision of director of photography Pierre Lhomme
• Additional extras to be announced at a later date