Canadian film writer/programmer Jonathan Doyle (Fantasia, TIFF, The Trash Palace) and Arbelos Films co-founders David Marriott and Ei Toshinari have launched a brand new boutique label, Canadian International Pictures (CIP), which will begin releasing a diverse slate of films on Blu-ray in partnership with Vinegar Syndrome.
Included below is the official press release from the founders of Canadian International Pictures, which details their mission and highlights upcoming Blu-ray releases.
"With the arrival of the new year, new boutique Blu-ray label Canadian International Pictures (CIP) launches an exciting partnership with Vinegar Syndrome and sister company OCN Distribution with the announcement of its debut release, Don Owen's
The Ernie Game. Scanned and restored in 2K from the 35mm interpositive, this underseen 1967 classic will be released alongside four other '60s gems from Owen, including a remastered presentation of the landmark documentary, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MR. LEONARD COHEN.
From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country's original cinematic boom years – spanning the '60s, '70s, and '80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country's borders) to highlight the films of Canada's most inspired actors and filmmakers. While CIP is currently focused on Blu-ray, plans are underway to expand into streaming and theatrical.
A collaboration of Canadian film writer/programmer Jonathan Doyle (Fantasia, TIFF, The Trash Palace) and Arbelos Films co-founders David Marriott – who was also born and raised in Canada – and Ei Toshinari, CIP has assembled a rich and varied slate for 2022, including a wide range of classic features and shorts from the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).
In addition to the films on THE ERNIE GAME disc, this includes Robert Fortier's racecar daredevil doc THE DEVIL AT YOUR HEELS and Gilles Groulx's landmark John Coltrane-scored THE CAT IN THE BAG (LE CHAT DANS LE SAC), both of which will be paired with several other treasures from the NFB archive. CIP will also collaborate with Winnipeg's Zellco Entertainment on a long overdue Blu-ray release of 1973's THE RAINBOW BOYS, directed by Gerald Potterton (HEAVY METAL) and starring the legendary Donald Pleasence (HALLOWEEN).
"We are grateful to the NFB, the adventurous film lovers at Vinegar Syndrome, and all our other partners for making this ambitious undertaking possible," explains Doyle. "Their support is a testament to the track record David and Ei have established at Arbelos, and we hope our releases live up to that standard. Those who take the time to explore the history of Canadian cinema are rarely disappointed, and I can think of no better place to start than THE ERNIE GAME."
At Arbelos Films, Marriott and Toshinari have overseen the restoration and re-release of Béla Tarr's masterpiece SÁTÁNTANGÓ, Dennis Hopper's radical EASY RIDER follow-up THE LAST MOVIE, and Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s Sundance-winner CHAMELEON STREET, among many others. "This is a truly exciting time for film restoration and boutique reissues, and the perfect moment to expand our efforts," Marriott says. "These resurrected gems of Canadian cinema will be a revelation for fans of classic films – and we're just getting started."
The second feature from celebrated Canadian filmmaker Don Owen (NOBODY WAVED GOODBYE), THE ERNIE GAME is a penetrating, unsettling character study and an inexplicably overlooked triumph of the New Hollywood era. Predating like-minded studies of loner desperation from MIDNIGHT COWBOY to TAXI DRIVER in a '60s milieu comparable to INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS – complete with a musical performance by budding folkie Leonard Cohen – this film has a distinctly Canadian vitality and desolation."
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The Ernie Game
Following a mysterious stay in a psychiatric hospital, Ernie Turner (The Prisoner's Alexis Kanner) decides to pursue his destiny as a writer. Hungry for inspiration and human contact, he ventures into the vibrant streets of '60s Montreal, establishes a conflicted romance with Donna (The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz's Judith Gault), and reunites with his frustrated ex, Gail (The Dead Zone's Jackie Burroughs). Unable to reconcile the pieces of his fragmented existence or make any progress on the literary front, Ernie begins a new descent into madness – with shocking results.
The second feature from celebrated Canadian filmmaker Don Owen (Nobody Waved Goodbye), The Ernie Game is a penetrating, unsettling character study and an inexplicably overlooked triumph of the New Hollywood era. Predating like-minded studies of loner desperation from Midnight Cowboy to Taxi Driver in a '60s milieu comparable to Inside Llewyn Davis – complete with a musical performance by budding folkie Leonard Cohen – The Ernie Game has a distinctly Canadian vitality and desolation.
This release also features four of Owen's earlier films, including Notes for a Film About Donna & Gail – which introduces two of The Ernie Game's central characters – and a remastered presentation of the landmark documentary (co-directed by Donald Brittain), Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- EXCLUSIVE NEW 2K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM A 35MM INTERPOSITIVE
- Short films:
- High Steel (1965, 14 min.)
- Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen (1965, 44 min.)
- Notes for a Film About Donna & Gail (1966, 49 min.)
- A Further Glimpse of Joey (1966, 28 min.)
- Cosmic Zoom (1968, 8 min.)
- Illustrated booklet
- Reversible cover artwork
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-FREE