Criterion Crazy: December Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
The Criterion year is now finished, with this latest announcement of December titles to look forward to. Is it as strong as that recent run of massive months we’ve had in the second half of 2022? Not really, but it also doesn’t need to be. Outside of a huge late addition to the November lineup (which comes second as the best announcement of the year, after the 4K/Citizen Kane statement), this is a more quiet month, geared towards specific cinephiles of varying walks of life. Let’s check them out.
The Favourite: Cooley High
Michael Schultz’s Cooley High held a cult status until the twenty first century, when it was rightfully regarded as a staple of high school cinema, particularly within the coming-of-age genre. Equal parts carefree and poignant, this introduction to the horrors of the world through the eyes of four adolescents has resonated greatly with younger generations in recent memory. It truly was ahead of its time, whilst tackling then-contemporary concerns within society (which still feel relevant to discuss). No question about it: Cooley High fits right into the collection, and it deserves to be preserved the right way.
The Actual Favourite But This Is The Wrong Month: WALL-E
So this little post Criterion shared on its social media channels is a major turn for the company. Of course, the biggest shock is that the Criterion Collection is working with Disney (something I don’t think many of us ever predicted). There’s the other little point to make, here: Criterion may start to embrace animated features more as a whole (this is the more exciting side of this announcement). Since there’s an apparent partnership with Pixar and Criterion now (according to the post), there couldn’t have been a better way to start than with WALL-E: a Disney release that unites box office fans with the bigger sticklers of cinephilia. Look at that gorgeous cover art as well, and the ton of special features (ranging from behind-the-scenes content and documentary footage, to actual lessons and conversations from director Andrew Stanton): it’s clear that a lot of thought has been put into this partnership and its releases right from the start. This is a November release announced late (perhaps why last month’s posts were late? Criterion could have been trying to clear this little title), so don’t wait before it sells out.
Best Newer Release: The Velvet Underground
There aren’t many bands as fascinating and pivotal as The Velvet Underground, and they deserve the right treatment when it comes to how their absurd story is told. Todd Haynes is the kind of filmmaker that doesn’t succumb to tropes and traditions, so he’s naturally perfect to drive such a documentary vehicle. Here’s The Velvet Underground (there really can’t be any better title than this, believe me), which broke tons of ground last year when it left music fans and documentary aficionados nonplussed. This feels like a no-brainer, especially considering the type of music that Criterion collectors may be into (The Velvet Underground are one of my all time favourite bands, so I may also be speaking for myself).
Have A Set: Michael Haneke: Trilogy
If Criterion aims to have every single film by Michael Haneke in its collection, then it’s a wise decision to have his first three films — The Seventh Continent, Benny’s Video, and 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance — included at some point. Here they are, all as one release, which makes sense; I can’t imagine these films selling too highly individually (outside of maybe The Seventh Continent). As packaged, this feels more like a must-have for Haneke fans that are wishing to complete his filmography. If you are new to the Austrian director, I would definitely point you in the direction of other films of his (particularly Amour, Caché, and The White Ribbon), but those that are acquainted with these works (and, say, The Piano Teacher and Funny Games) can definitely go with this release next.
Have Another Set: Three Films By Mai Zetterling
While I am more familiar and a bigger fan of Michael Haneke (and find that it is important to preserve his early works), there’s something about this little Mai Zetterling set that sits really well with me: this focus on taking care of pieces of Swedish film history. The actress-turned-director released three seminal feminist works — Loving Couples, Night Games, and The Girls — almost in a row (Doctor Glas isn’t included in this set, likely given its deviation from this overall theme), and they’re now in this exclusive package, waiting to be discovered by the Criterion collectors that have already exhausted the obvious picks. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing Zetterling’s name a lot more often soon, and it’s with these kinds of spotlighting and preservation that the Criterion Collection truly feel like the protectors of the neglected and under-seen releases of cinematic history (and it touches my heart, a little bit); it’s time for the world to learn about an icon of Swedish film (or, for those that are familiar with her as a performer or pop culture figure, to get acquainted with her identity as a powerful filmmaker).
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.