Press Release Criterion Press Release: Eve's Bayou (1997) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

“The summer I killed my father, I was ten years old . . .” So begins Kasi Lemmons’s spellbinding feature debut, an evocative journey into the maze of memory steeped in fragrant southern-gothic atmosphere. In 1960s Louisiana, a young girl (Jurnee Smollett) sees her well-to-do family unravel in the wake of the infidelities of her charming father (Samuel L. Jackson)—setting in motion a series of deceptions and betrayals that will upend her world and challenge her understanding of reality. Rooted in Creole history, folklore, and mysticism, Eve’s Bayou is a scintillating showcase for a powerhouse ensemble of Black actresses—including Lynn Whitfield, Debbi Morgan, and the legendary Diahann Carroll as a voodoo priestess—as well as a profoundly cathartic exploration of trauma, forgiveness, and the elusive nature of truth.

FILM INFO​

• United States
• 1997
• 115 minutes
• Black and White/Color
• 1.85:1
• English
• Spine #1154
  
  

  DIRECTOR-APPROVED TWO-BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

  • New 4K digital restoration of the director’s cut, supervised by director Kasi Lemmons and cinematographer Amy Vincent, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
  • Original 108-minute theatrical-release version
  • Audio commentary on the director’s cut featuring Lemmons, Vincent, producer Caldecot Chubb, and editor Terilyn A. Shropshire
  • Dr. Hugo (1996), a short film Lemmons made as a proof of concept for Eve’s Bayou, in a new 4K digital transfer
  • New interview with Lemmons
  • Cast reunion footage
  • Interview with composer Terence Blanchard
  • New program showcasing black-and-white Polaroids that Vincent took during production
  • Cast and crew photographs by William Eggleston
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by film scholar Kara Keeling
    
    New cover by Nessim Higson
    
    October 25, 2022

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases

 

[Lord Dalek]

Roger Ebert really went gung ho for this film didn't he?

 

[bujaki]

Wonderful film. Haven't seen the director's cut. Looking forward to this one.

 

[Dick]

Finally, a batch of Criterion Blu-rays I would really like to own. EVE'S BAYOU is dripping with Deep South atmosphere, and the story is tinged with supernatural elements that are carried off beuaituflly by the cast and director. Every time I watch it (heretofore on DVD only), I have found it a progressively richer experience. Good extras on this, too.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Preorder added second post

 

[Walter Kittel]

Roger Ebert really went gung ho for this film didn't he?

Yes he did. I didn't have the pleasure of seeing this theatrically, but the original DVD release was a blind purchase partly on the strength of Ebert's comments on his weekly program with Gene Siskel.

Really looking forward to this release. I haven't seen the film in a long, long time, so this will be a very pleasant revisit.

- Walter.