Running Time: 76 Minutes
There was a time when, following a films cinema run, there was no guarantee that they would receive a video release. This resulted in many works being left to only exist in memories, while others had their legend extended courtesy of their placement upon video shop shelves. As formats have come and gone, the number of films preserved has lessened with each new format. It has reached the point where, as streaming services grow in popularity, questions arose about if this was the death of physical media.
Yet through it all, the rise of boutique labels have persevered. With many names including Arrow, Criterion, Vinegar Syndrome, and Something Weird, these specialist titles offer a chance to discover and own films that were once considered lost. With Boutique: To Preserve and Collect, director Ry Levey documents the history of physical media in captivating form.
With the likes of filmmakers, historians, and label CEOs assembled for interviews, a tapestry is woven of various titles coexisting as they cater to specific voices, while also recounting many engrossing stories. Personal tales are shared, as interview subjects discuss what got them into film and how they passed their love onto others. These sit comfortably alongside historical tales, such as discussing extinct formats that once fought for dominance, how massive film collections were saved to be shrunk down for more compact formats, and why pornography is a pioneer of restoration.
Highlighted across this documentary are the positives that physical media can bring, such as allowing filmmakers and actors a way to connect with new fans because their works were saved from obscurity. As studio interference continues to run rife, physical media offers a chance to show the original visions undiluted and uncut, something that allowed Blade Runner and Rob Zombie's Halloween II to be reappraised. Also understood is the importance of presentation, giving these works a more gorgeous side as it makes the leap to new formats, as well as the depths that can be uncovered through commentaries and extras.
While this work delves into the art of restoration, one wishes it could have ventured deeper. This is such an interesting side of boutique physical media, yet it feels like this documentary is merely scratching the surface to instead take avenues that can feel repetitive. Despite that, Boutique: To Preserve and Collect remains an absorbing work brought alive with clear passion to capture the necessity of film preservation without discrimination. Be sure to watch this while making notes, as there will be many recommendations to add to your watchlist.
Boutique: To Preserve and Collect made its World Premiere at Frightfest 2024
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