More Syberberg, No Kluge

Facets announced another epic Hans-Jürgen Syberberg German biopic for June; this time it's Karl May. The company previously released Our Hitler and has Ludwig: Requiem for a Virgin King set for 26 May. While doing some research on Facets releasing, I also stumbled upon the fact that all four of director Alexander Kluge's films that had been previously announced (Yesterday Girl, Part-Time Work of a Domestic Slave, The Indomitable Leni Peikert and Artists Under the Big Top: Perplexed) have been canceled (or at least delayed).

Also from Facets in June: Diary of a Suicide [Journal d'un suicidé], the feature debut of Stanislav Stanojevic, whose Notorious Nobodies and Subversions have already been released/announced from the company. The film stars Delphine Seyrig and Sami Frey. Strand will release Doris Dörrie's Cherry Blossoms [Kirschblüten - Hanami] on 16 June. For fans of Dörrie, her 1985 comedy Men... [Männer...], which was her international breakout, was slated for 14 April from MVD/Televista, but that may have been canceled (that studios releases are often unauthorized). And finally, Lionsgate will release Hugo Rodríguez's Nicotina, with Diego Luna, on 9 June. Nicotina's release from First Look a couple years ago was canceled before it hit shelves.

And finally, take a look at Filmbo's blog to read more about the Warner Archive Collection, the Warner HTF chat and the unexciting line-up for MYA Communications.

DVD Updates

Just a few DVD release updates for you. Sony has lined up dates for both of their foreign language Oscar hopefuls, Laurent Cantet's The Class [Entre les murs] and Ari Folman's Waltz with Bashir, for 14 April and 28 April, respectively. As Rachel Getting Married, I've Loved You So Long and Seven Pounds have shown us, the dates will likely change by a week or two. Miramax also announced their Oscar hopeful Doubt for 14 April.

The most exciting news I have to offer comes from Facets, as they have a number of great stuff lined up for May. Firstly, they've announced a two-disc edition of Hans-Jürgen Syberberg's Ludwig, Requiem for a Virgin King [Ludwig - Requiem für einen jungfräulichen König], which makes for a fine comparison/companion piece to Visconti's Ludwig, which was released by Koch Lorber last year. Harry Baer stars as Ludwig II, alongside Ingrid Caven as Lola Montez. Facets will also be releasing Martin Meissonnier's documentary The Real Joan of Arc [Vraie Jeanne, fausse Jeanne], which explores the history and mythology of Jeanne d'Arc, Helma Sanders-Brahms' Earthquake in Chile [Erdbeben in Chili], Stanislav Stanojevic's Subversion, Jerzy Kawalerowicz's Quo Vadis?, which co-stars Boguslaw Linda, Ning Ying's On the Beat and the documentary Inquiring Nuns, in which a pair of Chicago-based nuns ask people on the street if they're happy. All street on 26 May.

Synkronized USA will be releasing two recent French films on 5 May: Antoine Santana's A Song of Innocence [La ravisseuse] and Cheyenne Carron's Twisted Souls [Écorchés]. A Song of Innocence stars Isild Le Besco (who also starred in Santana's Un moment de bonheur), Émilie Dequenne, Grégoire Colin and Anémone; Twisted Souls features Vincent Martinez and Sagamore Stévenin (Romance). Synkronizes titles are usually delayed, so keep that in mind. Lifesize Home Entertainment will also be releasing another film starring Émilie Dequenne, entitled Écoute le temps (also known as Fissures). Mathieu Demy also stars.

Kelly Reichardt's Wendy and Lucy, starring Michelle Williams, will be released by Oscilloscope on 5 May, along with Koch Lorber's release of Ole Bornedal's Just Another Love Story [Kærlighed på film]. Magnolia has set 2 June for James Gray's Two Lovers, and finally, Lionsgate is releasing the second season of Mad Men on 7 July. That's all for now.