Yes, there are animated films within the prestigious Criterion Collection, though they represent a relatively small portion of its overall catalog. These carefully curated selections exemplify the artistic and historical significance animation can achieve.
A Home for Animation: The Criterion Collection’s Stance
The Criterion Collection is renowned for its dedication to preserving and presenting important classic and contemporary films from around the world. Their meticulous restoration processes, insightful supplemental materials, and thoughtfully designed packaging have earned them a respected reputation among cinephiles. While primarily focused on live-action cinema, Criterion recognizes the power and artistry of animation, and has consistently included animated works that demonstrate exceptional storytelling, technical innovation, and cultural impact.
Criterion’s choices often highlight animation as a legitimate art form, moving beyond mere entertainment to showcase sophisticated narratives and experimental techniques. These releases provide crucial context, demonstrating the evolution of animation and its enduring influence on film history.
Spotlighting the Animated Gems
Criterion’s embrace of animation isn’t just about inclusion; it’s about elevation. They don’t simply release animated films; they champion them. The titles in their collection, while few in number compared to live-action offerings, are chosen with meticulous care, reflecting a commitment to highlighting the diverse possibilities within the medium. They often select works that push the boundaries of animation, utilize unique stylistic approaches, or explore profound themes often overlooked in mainstream animated productions. These animated titles often receive the same meticulous treatment as their live-action counterparts, including new high-definition digital restorations, insightful commentary tracks, and comprehensive documentaries exploring the film’s creation and impact.
Key Titles and Their Significance
Some of the notable animated films within the Criterion Collection include:
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Fantastic Planet (La Planète Sauvage): René Laloux’s surreal, politically charged science fiction masterpiece. Its unique animation style and thought-provoking themes make it a standout example of European animation.
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Watership Down: Martin Rosen’s adaptation of Richard Adams’ novel. A harrowing and beautifully rendered tale of survival and community, often cited for its mature themes and striking visuals.
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Tokyo Godfathers: Satoshi Kon’s heartwarming and visually stunning Christmas story about three homeless individuals who find an abandoned baby. It is hailed as a masterpiece of modern animation, seamlessly blending realism and fantasy.
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Belladonna of Sadness: Eiichi Yamamoto’s visually stunning and controversial animated film. Based on Jules Michelet’s history of witchcraft, La Sorcière, Belladonna is a psychedelic and experimental film.
These films represent a small but significant sampling of the animation included in the Criterion Collection, reflecting a diverse range of styles, themes, and cultural origins. They serve as prime examples of how animation can transcend its perceived limitations and offer complex, challenging, and ultimately rewarding cinematic experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Animated Films in the Criterion Collection
FAQ 1: Why are there so few animated films in the Criterion Collection?
The Criterion Collection’s curatorial focus is broad, encompassing classic and contemporary films from various genres and national cinemas. While animation is undoubtedly a significant part of film history, the collection historically prioritized live-action films. It could also be attributable to the licensing complexities and potentially higher costs associated with acquiring and restoring animated films, especially those from international markets. However, there seems to be a growing recognition of animation’s importance, which suggests the catalog could expand in this area.
FAQ 2: What are the criteria for an animated film to be considered for the Criterion Collection?
Similar to live-action films, animated titles are likely considered based on several factors: artistic merit, historical significance, technical innovation, and cultural impact. Criterion aims to showcase films that have made a lasting contribution to cinema, pushing boundaries and offering unique perspectives. The film’s quality of production, script and storytelling are essential considerations. The availability of high-quality source materials for restoration and the potential for creating insightful supplemental content also likely play a role.
FAQ 3: Does the Criterion Collection focus on any specific type of animation (e.g., stop-motion, traditional, CGI)?
The Criterion Collection does not appear to favor any particular type of animation. The selection of animated films reflects a variety of techniques, including traditional hand-drawn animation, stop-motion, and computer-generated imagery. The unifying factor is the artistic and cinematic quality of the film, rather than the specific animation method employed.
FAQ 4: Will the Criterion Collection ever release more animated films?
While it’s impossible to predict future releases with certainty, there are indications that the Criterion Collection is increasingly receptive to including more animated films. The inclusion of titles like Tokyo Godfathers and Belladonna of Sadness signals a willingness to embrace diverse and compelling animated works. Given the growing recognition of animation as a serious art form, it seems likely that the Criterion Collection will continue to expand its animation offerings in the future.
FAQ 5: How does Criterion restore animated films? Are the processes different from live-action films?
The restoration process for animated films in the Criterion Collection typically involves a meticulous examination of the original film elements, such as the original cels, negatives, and soundtracks. Depending on the film’s age and condition, the restoration may include cleaning, repairing, and digitally scanning the elements at high resolution. Color correction, image stabilization, and scratch removal are also common steps. While the fundamental principles of film restoration are the same for both animated and live-action films, the specific techniques and challenges can differ due to the unique characteristics of animation. For example, restoring hand-drawn animation may require careful attention to detail to preserve the integrity of the original artwork.
FAQ 6: Where can I find a complete list of animated films in the Criterion Collection?
The most reliable source for a complete and up-to-date list of animated films in the Criterion Collection is the official Criterion Collection website. Online databases and fan communities dedicated to Criterion films also often maintain comprehensive lists.
FAQ 7: Are there any plans for Blu-ray or 4K UHD releases of existing Criterion animated films?
Criterion’s policy is to release their titles in the highest possible quality format that is readily available and affordable to the consumer, given their source material. Older titles may be limited to Blu-ray because the original source material will not allow for a 4K resolution. While Criterion does release films in 4K UHD, whether existing animated films will receive such upgrades depends on the availability of suitable source materials and the demand from collectors. Keep an eye on their official announcements for the most current information.
FAQ 8: Does Criterion ever partner with animation studios like Studio Ghibli?
While Criterion has not directly partnered with Studio Ghibli (as Ghibli has its own US distributor, GKIDS), the possibility remains open for future collaborations. The rights and licensing agreements surrounding animated films can be complex, but Criterion’s commitment to preserving important works suggests they would be interested in partnering with prominent studios if the opportunity arose.
FAQ 9: What supplemental materials are included with Criterion’s animated film releases?
Criterion’s animated film releases typically include a range of supplemental materials, designed to provide context and insights into the film’s creation and significance. These might include audio commentary tracks from directors, animators, and film scholars; behind-the-scenes documentaries; interviews with the cast and crew; essays; and artwork galleries. These materials add immense value to the viewing experience, offering a deeper understanding of the film’s artistic and historical context.
FAQ 10: How does Criterion choose which language dubs and subtitles to include on their animated film releases?
Criterion typically includes the original language audio track and English subtitles on its releases of international animated films. They may also include dubbed versions of the film in English or other languages, depending on the availability of high-quality dubs and the target audience. The choice of subtitles and dubs is often guided by a desire to make the film accessible to a wide audience while preserving the integrity of the original work.
FAQ 11: Are Criterion’s animated film releases region-locked?
Criterion’s Blu-ray and DVD releases are typically region-locked, meaning they are only playable on devices that are compatible with the designated region code. However, some releases are region-free, allowing them to be played on devices worldwide. Check the product specifications on the Criterion website or online retailers to determine the region coding of a specific release.
FAQ 12: How can I suggest an animated film for Criterion Collection consideration?
While Criterion has a dedicated acquisitions team that evaluates potential titles for inclusion in the collection, viewer recommendations can influence their decisions. You can suggest a film by contacting Criterion directly through their website or social media channels. While there’s no guarantee that your suggestion will be implemented, expressing your enthusiasm for a particular animated film can help raise awareness and potentially influence future acquisitions.