101 Films Launch Black Label, Announce First Special Blu-ray Editions

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101 Films Launch Black Label, Announce First Special Blu-ray Editions

Posted April 19, 2018 05:55 PM by Webmaster

British distributors 101 Films have launched a new genre arm, called simply Black Label, and officially announced the first two numbered titles that will be released under its banner: Stephen Frears' The Grifters and David Cronenberg's eXistenZ. The two releases will be available for purchase on May 21.

The Grifters

Synopsis: From director Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liaisons) and producer Martin Scorsese, comes The Grifters, a taut thriller in which seduction and betrayal could lead to murder.

Adapted for the screen by Donald E. Westlake, from a novel by Jim Thompson, The Grifters features a stellar cast, including Anjelica Huston (Crimes and Misdemeanors), John Cusack (Grosse Pointe Blank), and Annette Bening (American Beauty).

When small-time cheat Roy Dillon (Cusack) winds up in hospital following an unsuccessful scam, it sets up a confrontation between his estranged mother Lilly (Huston) and alluring girlfriend Myra (Bening). Both Lilly and Myra are con artists playing the game in a league far above Roy, and always looking for their next victim. As Roy finds himself caught in a complicated web of passion and mistrust, the question is who's conning who?

Special Features and Technical Specs:
  • NEW Seduction. Betrayal. Murder: The Making of The Grifters - A brand new feature length documentary on the film's production, including new interviews with director Stephen Frears, cinematographer Oliver Stapleton, editor Mick Audsley, executive producer Barbara De Fina and co-producer Peggy Rajski.
  • NEW Limited edition booklet: Includes 'Jim Thompson, Noir, and the Popular Front', an essay on the American author's societal influences by David Cochran, and 'Elmer Bernstein: Grit not Grift', a review of the legendary composer's career by Charlie Brigden.
  • Audio: Lossless LPCM track
  • Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
eXistenZ

Synopsis: Visionary director David Cronenberg (Videodrome) challenges the boundaries of reality in sci-fi thriller eXistenZ, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh (Annihilation), Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley), and a stellar supporting cast including Ian Holm (Alien), Willem Dafoe (Platoon), Christopher Eccleston (28 Days Later) and Sarah Polley (Splice).

During a closed-door demonstration of her new virtual reality video game, brilliant game designer Allegra Geller (Leigh) survives an attempt on her life by a crazed assassin. On the run with Ted Pikul (Law), a young marketing trainee who falls into the role of bodyguard, Allegra convinces Ted to join her in her game, eXistenZ. As the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur, the real-life dangers they sought to escape start to merge with their virtual world.

Special Features and Technical Specs:
  • NEW The Leader: An interview with Christopher Eccleston
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Kim Newman & Ryan Lambie
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Mondo Digital's Nathaniel Thompson
  • NEW Limited Edition Booklet: Includes 'Enemy of Reality: David Cronenberg's eXistenZ' by Alex Morris, and 'Of Fabrics and Flesh: An interview with Denise Cronenberg' by Phillip Escott.
  • Audio commentary by David Cronenberg
  • Making of documentary
  • Promo Featurette
  • Special Effects Featurette
  • Backstage interviews with Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Willem Dafoe, Jim Isaac (visual effects) and David Cronenburg
  • Trailer
  • Audio: Lossless LPCM track
  • Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature