Criterion Crazy: February 2023 Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
The shortest month of the year welcomes one of the calmer Criterion Collection announcements lately. Not a single bad film is being released, but not much here feels like a massive surprise (okay, outside of one particular favourite of everyone's). That's okay. Criterion frequently dishes us out gold time and time again, and these picks are definitely golden to some, even if they don't make as big of a splash as other releases do. Here are your February releases from the Criterion Collection.
The Favourite: Two Films by Marguerite Duras
While likely the least known of all of the releases, I am the most excited for this pairing of works from French filmmaker and scribe Marguerite Duras. Known for penning classics like Hiroshima Mon Amour, Duras is getting the preservation treatment on two of her own directorial projects (India Song, and Baxter, Vera Baxter). What Criterion does for lesser known works and artists like these is place them on a pedestal for the world to see and recognize, and Duras truly deserves it. This will likely be an introduction to many, and I hope it's the discovery of a new favourite artist for them.
The Second Favourite: Romeo and Juliet
Probably the biggest surprise of this announcement is the beloved 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, by Franco Zeffirelli (and considered the best cinematic version of the William Shakespeare play by many). The film has surpassed its initial release and English classes everywhere by emotionally connecting with all that watch it, thanks to its sublime musical choices and effective performances. Now, it's here in the Collection. It may have not made too much sense ten years ago (it is a protected film that has been readily available), but with Criterion expanding its repertoire, it fits right in now.
Under-Seen Choice: Hollywood Shuffle
Robert Townsend's 1987 satirical passion project Hollywood Shuffle is now in the Collection, continuing Criterion's promise of inclusiveness since 2020. The comedy filmmaker's most beloved film (next to Eddie Murphy's iconic Raw special), this commentary on racism in the entertainment industry still feels important to watch, even if not all of the jokes have aged tremendously well. Nonetheless, the strong statements made here feel similar to other Criterion classics, including Spike Lee's Bamboozled, and thus it fits in quite nicely. Besides, underrepresented films with smaller budgets from yesteryear (allegedly Hollywood Shuffle was made for one hundred thousand dollars only) deserve to be taken care of via proper preservation.
It’s Time to Upgrade: The Three Colours Trilogy
With Criterion's continuous mission to make as many of their biggest releases 4K, it's not a shock that Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours Trilogy is getting said treatment. This entire triptych is absolutely gorgeous to watch, and it's honestly one of the best selections the Collection could have made. Three of the best shot films of all time, I can't even imagine what these will look like with extreme definition and care. Even if you haven't seen these films (please hurry up and do so if you haven't), it is absolutely worth blind buying what could easily be the greatest version of one of the best trilogies of all time.
Let’s Keep Upgrading: Dazed and Confused
For me, this feels more like a business move. I love Richard Linklater works and I love Dazed and Confused, but I'm feeling more the latter part of that title: why is this film part of the initial batch to be urgently upgraded to 4K? It's a rich film narratively and via its acting, but visually and audibly it's quite standard; even in Linklater's canon, it makes little sense (the Before Trilogy absolutely begs to have the aesthetic upgrade). Because of Linklater's ties with Criterion and the breakthrough film's iconic status, maybe that's why Dazed and Confused is getting promoted. If you're a massive fan, this news likely feels alright, alright, alright. Otherwise, I can't see why going for the Blu-ray option would be bad, especially if you don't mind saving a dollar here and there.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.