The Cassandra Cat Blu-ray

British label Second Run is preparing Blu-ray release of Vojtech Jasny's The Cassandra Cat (1963). The release is scheduled to arrive on the market on February 20.

Label description: Vojtěch Jasný's sumptuous, surreal satire is one of the most lavish and uninhibited films of the entire Czechoslovak New Wave. A traveling circus and its magical feline mascot arrive in a provincial Czech town, and expose the virtues, vices and desires of its unruly inhabitants.

Part modern fairy tale, part colorful political metaphor, The Cassandra Cat (also known as When the Cat Comes) is a unique, glorious comic drama. Banned after the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, the film was regarded as an unacceptable and subversive critique of Communist society.

Now newly restored in all its vibrant Technicolor glory, this Cannes award-winner makes its world premiere on Blu-ray. The Blu-ray will also include the acclaimed and delightful animated short film Badly Painted Hen by Jiri Brdecka, co-writer of The Cassandra Cat.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM by the Czech National Film Archive
• NEW A Projection Booth audio commentary with Mike White, Spencer Parsons and Chris Stachiw
• Badly Painted Hen (Spatne namalovana slepice, 1963): the acclaimed animated short film by Jiri Brdecka, co-writer of The Cassandra Cat
• Trailer
• Booklet featuring a new, expansive essay by author Cerise Howard
• Original soundtrack in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
• New and improved English subtitle translation
• REGION-FREE