Kino Video will add three more titles to its Blu-ray catalog in December: John S. Robertson's
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Eric Valli's
Himalaya (1999), Markus Imhoof's
More Than Honey (2012), and Josef von Sternberg's
The Blue Angel (1930).
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Considered by many to be the first great American horror film, John S. Robertson's
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde allowed stage legend John Barrymore to deliver his first virtuoso performance on film. Blending historic charm with grim naturalism, this version of
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is one of the more faithful of the many screen adaptations of Stevenson's story, recounting a visionary scientist's ill-fated attempts to unleash the human mysteries that dwell beneath the shell of the civilized self. This Kino Classics Remastered Edition features a brand new transfer from a new high definition master. Starring John Barrymore, Martha Mansfield, and Brandon Hurst. Street date: December 17th.
The Blue Angel
The crowning achievement of the Weimar cinema,
The Blue Angel is an exquisite parable of one man's fall from respectability. This exclusive two-disc set from Kino Classics includes both the newly-restored German version and the English version, both in high definition.
Emil Jannings (
The Last Laugh, Faust, Othello), the quintessential German expressionist actor, stars as Professor Rath, the sexually-repressed instructor of a boys' prep school. After learning of the pupils' infatuation with French postcards depicting a local nightclub songstress, he decides to personally investigate the source of such indecency. But as soon as he enters the shadowy Blue Angel nightclub and steals one glimpse of the smoldering Lola-Lola (Marlene Dietrich), commanding the stage in top hat, stockings, and bare thighs, Rath's self-righteous piety is crushed. He finds himself fatefully seduced by the throaty voice of the vulgar siren, singing ''Falling In Love Again''. Consumed by desire and tormented by his rigid propriety, Professor Rath allows himself to be dragged down a path of personal degradation. Lola's unrestrained sexuality was a revelation to turn-of-the-decade moviegoers, thrusting Dietrich to the forefront of the sultry international leading ladies, such as Greta Garbo, who were challenging the limits of screen sexuality. Starring Emil Jannings, Marlene Dietrich, and Kurt Gerron. Street date: December 17th.
Himalaya
The first Nepalese film to enter the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Academy Awards.
Filmed over seven months in the forbidden Dolpo region of Nepal,
Himalaya tells the story of a generational struggle for the leadership of a tiny mountain village between its proud old chief and a headstrong young caravanner. The balance of power shifts uneasily as they make their annual salt trek across the Himalayas. A visually striking and spiritually captivating portrait of life in one of the world's most extraordinary places,
Himalaya is both intense drama and a gorgeous tapestry of the fast disappearing traditions of Tibetan life. The Blu-ray uses a brand new transfer remastered in high definition by Kino Classics. Starring Thilen Lhondup, Gurgon Kyap, and Lhakpa Tsamchoe. Street date: December 31.
More Than Honey
Documentary about the ever increasing crises facing honey bees and the resulting impact on our global agricultural system. Through innovative camerawork, director Markus Imhoof gives an insight into the daily workings of the bee hive and how bees are falling victim to numerous issues, leading to an overall decline in numbers. Traveling from North America through Europe and into China, we are shown how humans are beginning to introduce measures to alleviate the crisis but also how we may be partially to blame. Winner of Best Documentary Award at this year's edition of the Bavarian Film Awards. Street date: December 24th.