I have thought about the ins and outs of treating the item as public domain though I didn't think of section 108 because I'm just a language lab, not a library. The first 1/2 hour is in fact available online; last night I watched about 15 minutes of it and found that viewing it in a small window helps with the "torn and dirty pages" quality Jessica mentions; also, it has a terrific performance of the score (by Milhaud) which I presume dates from a postwar recording/performance (i.e. not PD) and really helps to juice up the strange rhythms of the film. I am not sure I could make a better digital copy from the tape, and NTSC VHS from SECAM VHS is not likely to be much good either.
Apparently there was an NTSC copy in the media library, and I think that probably means it was released in the US at some point. Apparently a prof who has left UF took it with her and it is now on its way back. I will look to see whether it's a US release with English subs. The professor's 80's SECAM copy is probably the best option--I assume it is based on the restoration/orchestral performance used to make the online video, but it would be better visual quality. I think that the professor is likely to agree with Jessica about the film being boring--she told me she has never watched the whole thing but wanted to use it for the class because of the subject matter (Paris fashion in the movies). My impression is that the reason the online project only presents the first half hour (about 1/5 of the whole film, I gather) is that this is the bit that has the moderne costumes, sets, and special effects which make the film "important." (The other interesting thing is the sci-fi/horror themes!) Jessica, you mentioned a recent restoration, but nobody has said anything about a DVD release. Does anyone know if it has been picked up for release? Has anyone seen the restoration--it would be interesting to know how well it "reads" in terms of the visuals...? Judy
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
