Richard Carnahan
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2001
- Messages
- 70
Charlie Chaplin's Genius Launched to a New Generation as Rare and Exclusive
Material Is Unveiled in Cannes
CANNES, France--May 16, 2002--Warner Home Video and MK2 Strike a Sensational
Deal to Distribute the Charlie Chaplin Collection
Warner Home Video (the home video division of Warner Bros.) and MK2 jointly
announced today that they have entered into an exclusive deal to distribute
worldwide newly re-mastered versions of eighteen classic Charlie Chaplin
feature films. The state of the art DVDs will include never-before-seen
outtakes, backstage glimpses and family home movie footage.
The titles in the Charlie Chaplin Collection range from his 1925 silent
classic, "The Gold Rush," to his 1958 feature "A King In New York." These
timeless examples of cinema's first and favourite comedy genius are being
digitally re-mastered by the film preservation specialists at the
world-famous Bologna Cinematheque.
The Cannes announcement was made by Warren Lieberfarb, President of Warner
Home Video, known as "the Architect of DVD," and Marin Karmitz, founder and
President of MK2. Helping to launch the new venture was Chaplin's actress
daughter Geraldine, who gave her full support: "On behalf of the family, I
am personally delighted that my father's legacy is in the hands of such
enthusiasts as MK2 and Warner Bros. We are, and will continue to be,
intrinsically involved with the enhancement of the films that he created. By
having access to these films on the latest DVD format, the public will be
able to experience, at first hand, never-before-seen archive materials, as
well as enjoying the films themselves in pristine condition, as my father
intended."
As Marin Karmitz explains, "MK2's objective is to allow the man who is
undeniably one of the major artists of the 20th century to regain his
position in cinema and to have younger generations rediscover an important
body of work which is still very modern today." The Chaplin family had
previously entrusted France's leading independent production and
distribution company with the worldwide distribution rights to these films.
Warner Home Video's global reach and pre-eminence in DVD marketing and
technology makes them the ideal distribution partnership. MK2 will produce
the editorial content and the DVD masters in Europe.
"It is a true honor for Warner Home Video to be able to bring the work of
one of cinema's true geniuses to DVD," added Warren Lieberfarb. "This new
partnership with MK2 reconfirms our commitment to commercial marketing of
cinema in the video media, particularly DVD. It also reinforces our
objectives to restore and preserve great cinematic works and aids in the
education and understanding of cinema."
MK2 will produce individually-tailored half-hour documentaries to accompany
each of these eighteen classics. Leading modern day figures in the world of
film will present a personal look at Chaplin and his work. A special bonus
included in the DVD of "The Great Dictator" will be a 47-minute tribute by
the distinguished film historian Kevin Brownlow. Cutting edge DVD technology
combined with the artistry of a man whose vision was decades ahead of his
time gives movie lovers worldwide this not-to-be-missed opportunity.
The Chaplin Collection will be launched on DVD in the Spring of 2003 and it
is anticipated that its release will be accompanied by cinema retrospectives
of Chaplin's work in many major cities across the world. In France, MK2
plans to re-launch "The Great Dictator" in 200 cinemas on October 16th, 2002
and will release the film on DVD in November 2002.
Material Is Unveiled in Cannes
CANNES, France--May 16, 2002--Warner Home Video and MK2 Strike a Sensational
Deal to Distribute the Charlie Chaplin Collection
Warner Home Video (the home video division of Warner Bros.) and MK2 jointly
announced today that they have entered into an exclusive deal to distribute
worldwide newly re-mastered versions of eighteen classic Charlie Chaplin
feature films. The state of the art DVDs will include never-before-seen
outtakes, backstage glimpses and family home movie footage.
The titles in the Charlie Chaplin Collection range from his 1925 silent
classic, "The Gold Rush," to his 1958 feature "A King In New York." These
timeless examples of cinema's first and favourite comedy genius are being
digitally re-mastered by the film preservation specialists at the
world-famous Bologna Cinematheque.
The Cannes announcement was made by Warren Lieberfarb, President of Warner
Home Video, known as "the Architect of DVD," and Marin Karmitz, founder and
President of MK2. Helping to launch the new venture was Chaplin's actress
daughter Geraldine, who gave her full support: "On behalf of the family, I
am personally delighted that my father's legacy is in the hands of such
enthusiasts as MK2 and Warner Bros. We are, and will continue to be,
intrinsically involved with the enhancement of the films that he created. By
having access to these films on the latest DVD format, the public will be
able to experience, at first hand, never-before-seen archive materials, as
well as enjoying the films themselves in pristine condition, as my father
intended."
As Marin Karmitz explains, "MK2's objective is to allow the man who is
undeniably one of the major artists of the 20th century to regain his
position in cinema and to have younger generations rediscover an important
body of work which is still very modern today." The Chaplin family had
previously entrusted France's leading independent production and
distribution company with the worldwide distribution rights to these films.
Warner Home Video's global reach and pre-eminence in DVD marketing and
technology makes them the ideal distribution partnership. MK2 will produce
the editorial content and the DVD masters in Europe.
"It is a true honor for Warner Home Video to be able to bring the work of
one of cinema's true geniuses to DVD," added Warren Lieberfarb. "This new
partnership with MK2 reconfirms our commitment to commercial marketing of
cinema in the video media, particularly DVD. It also reinforces our
objectives to restore and preserve great cinematic works and aids in the
education and understanding of cinema."
MK2 will produce individually-tailored half-hour documentaries to accompany
each of these eighteen classics. Leading modern day figures in the world of
film will present a personal look at Chaplin and his work. A special bonus
included in the DVD of "The Great Dictator" will be a 47-minute tribute by
the distinguished film historian Kevin Brownlow. Cutting edge DVD technology
combined with the artistry of a man whose vision was decades ahead of his
time gives movie lovers worldwide this not-to-be-missed opportunity.
The Chaplin Collection will be launched on DVD in the Spring of 2003 and it
is anticipated that its release will be accompanied by cinema retrospectives
of Chaplin's work in many major cities across the world. In France, MK2
plans to re-launch "The Great Dictator" in 200 cinemas on October 16th, 2002
and will release the film on DVD in November 2002.