In addition to filmjourney, one of my side projects includes co-administrating robert-bresson.com, a tribute site to Robert Bresson (1901-1999), perhaps my favorite of all filmmakers.
Two years ago, Peter Becker of the Criterion Collection mentioned their acquisition of Bresson’s quiet masterpiece, Diary of a Country Priest (1950), and I’ve been filled with anticipation ever since. Diary is Bresson’s third feature film and the first film where his mature, inimitable style blossomed in full form. And in addition to Criterion’s recent release of his earlier Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne (1945), this will only be the second Bresson DVD released with English subtitles to date.
The producer of the disc, Kate Elmore, graciously allowed me to interview her regarding the DVD (due Feb ’04), and I’ve posted a summary in the News section of robert-bresson.com.
The biggest scoop? The disc will include 11-minutes of deleted scenes!
Another Bresson masterpiece, Au hasard Balthazar (1966) (which I’ve mentioned several times here at filmjourney) will be getting its Rialto Pictures release here in L.A. in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more Bresson…