I’d say go ahead and watch it, it’s a great film, but then I come from the day when one’s cinematic education was based on well-worn VHS pan & scan rental tapes, so . . .
I grew up with the VHS, but since the creation of the DVD, their shortcomings have become too obvious.
I’d say watch it. Back in 2009 I got my hopes up like you. A Brighter Summer Day was screening at Cannes and Scorsese’s WCF was said to be working with criterion on a release of the film. It was imminent, they said!
A year later and no news so I just watched it. One of the best films I’ve ever seen, even with the terrible print.
The U.S. theatrical release of the film probably means a DVD release is more imminent, but whether that means 2012 or 2112…
Plus, the world’s supposed to end on December 12, so… (I don’t know how to finish that thought)
People should be aware that Criterion was planning on releasing it but apparently the Taiwanese Government interfered. Just a heads up.
I haven’t seen A Brighter Summer Day, but my answer is still “yes”. Before Criterion ever released them, I saw VHS copies of movies like Late Spring, Forbidden Games, and Pickpocket, all with bad transfers. Didn’t matter. I saw a crummy VHS copy of Wagon Master long before Warners got around to putting out a DVD. Didn’t matter. And recently I’ve seen horrible transfers of Stromboli and Europa ’51, despite the fact that CC is rumored to have those titles in hand. If the movie is great, you won’t regret seeing it with a bad transfer, and you’ll look forward to a suitable video release all the more.
Apparently I was really emphatic about my point.
DP.
this is on google video btw. yes it’s a terrible copy but i’m thinking of watching it too
My copy is a terrible transfer obvious bootleg with hardcoded double Chinese-English subs.
It was still awesome.
A Criterion release would be more awesome.
A Criterion Yang collection including his other films I haven’t seen would be even more awesome.
If the quality of your copy of ABSD seems to still be unbearable by the 1hr mark, just turn it off and cross your fingers Criterion or somebody else will release this gem. However, if you choose the latter option, you may be in for a very long wait, regardless of the current rumors. Criterion has been hinting at ABSD since around 2009.
Source- http://www.criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8499&start=50
I just watched a recent episode of At the Movies, you know, the one starring the Russian guy from this site (edit: Vishnevetsky), and he said it’s being released here finally. So what’s he talkin’ ’bout?
ShaKha
I have a copy of A Brighter Summer Day on my laptop. I want to watch the film, but the copy looks awful. I have seen Yi Yi, so I know that Yang’s films deserve to be seen in the best form possible, but, unfortunately, this is currently the best form possible. However, I have also heard that the film got a cinematic release this year and that there are rumours of a Criterion release. So, my question is should I watch the crappy version that I have or will a better version become available by the end of 2012 or so?
Thanks in advance for any answers.