British distributors Artificial Eye have officially announced and detailed their upcoming Blu-ray release of François Truffaut's
Shoot the Piano Player (1960) and
Jules and Jim (1962). The two releases will be available for purchase on July 28th.
Shoot the Piano Player
Francois Truffaut portrays a film noir world of gangsters and intrigue, with Charles Aznavour as a famous concert pianist who leaves his former life behind to play in a sleazy Parisian bar. He gradually becomes involved the the criminal activities of the big-city underworld. Charlie is the piano player in a rundown jazz bar, he used to be Edouard Saroan a gifted classical pianist, but after suffering his wife's suicide gave up his rising fame. He's miserable, lonely and so self-absorbed that he can't see that Lena, the bars' waitress is in love with him. Whe Chico, Charlie's crooked brother, uses the bar as a refuge from two gangsters he's double-crossed. Charlie becomes embroiled in the mayham. Will the resulting events awaken Charlie's emotions again?
Special Features:
- Presentation of the film by Serge Toubiana
- Audio Commentary with Marie Dubois
- Audio Commentary with Raoul Coutard
- Marie Dubois's screen tests
Jules et Jim
Francois Truffaut's classic tale of a love triangle which takes place over 20 years, both before and after World War I. Jeanne Moreau stars as Catherine, the beautiful and unpredictable woman who maintains a delicate relationship with two friends, the quiet German Jules (Oskar Werner) and the romantic Parisian Jim (Henri Serre). The War intervenes and drives the men to the opposing fronts; afterwards, the two quickly resume their friendship, but the balance of their relationship with Catherine is now upset by more adult concerns.
Special Features:
- Presentation of the film by Serge Toubiana
- Audio Commentary with Jean Gruault