While the Criterion Collection continues to play coy about their release plans for Nobuhiko Obayashi's House - they're definitely doing it as they're already selling House t-shirts in their official shop - the folks behind the UK's Masters of Cinema series are getting straight to the point: January 25th. That's the day it arrives in all of its bizarre glory. Here's their official press release:
What's that? A trailer? Why, yes there is, and you can check it out below. And click here for Renzo Adler's review of the film from when it screened at the New York Asian festival this summer.An unforgettable mixture of bubblegum teen melodrama and grisly phantasmagoria, Obayashi's deranged fairy tale HOUSE is one of Japanese cinema's wildest supernatural ventures and a truly startling debut feature.
Distressed by her widowed father's plans to remarry, Angel sets off with six of her schoolgirl friends in tow for a summer getaway in her aunt's isolated mansion. But all is not well - in this house of dormant secrets, long-held emotional traumas have terrifyingly physical embodiments and the girls will have to use all their individual talents if any are to survive.
A rollercoaster ride without brakes, HOUSE is by turns sinister, hilarious and curiously touching, with ceaseless cinematic invention and a satirical, full-blooded approach to the horror genre. A gigantic smash upon its original release in Japan, the Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present its UK premiere on DVD, released on 25 January 2009.
NEW SPECIAL EDITION including:
- New digital anamorphic widescreen transfer
- An extensive 90-minute selection of interviews with director Nobuhiko Obayashi, co-screenwriter Chigumi Obayashi, actress Kumiko Oba and Toho promotional executive Shoho Tomiyama
-Theatrical trailer
- A luxurious booklet, with new writing, stills, promotional material and more.
damn, have to buy it again :)
- happy -
Excellent news!
Fuck you criterion, this movie should be released ASAP! The world needs Hausu!
I love it when Eureka MOC and Criterion go head-to-head on a title. Keeps both sides sharp...
Trouble is, I always want both versions!