The great Spanish film director Luis Bunuel made some of the most subversive, challenging and intelligent cinema of his generation and ours quite frankly. He was a force that has his mark on film history and even mastered a genre early on within it. He wanted to challenge the ideas that were commonplace in Spain and even across the world. Religion was his main focus, Fascism also was a focus of his ire. Then you had gender politics and sexual dynamics within the middle classes. The upper classes were also took flak because he felt they were often seen as impervious to it. This set sees 7 of his films packaged together, remastered and packed with extras.  From his sensational Belle De Jour starring Catherine Deneuve. On release it shocked society with its story of a middle class woman who casually works as a prostitute by day. Lambasting societal silence and exposes the dark layers of sexual repression in society. The sardonic Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie which won best foreign film at the oscars, it takes us into the world of the middle classes as they have dinner and tell stories of more and more surreal reality, social commentary takes place. Tristana is by far my favourite film of Bunuel. Taking the story of a young woman and orphan staying with adoptive uncle, it explores the exploitation by the old of the young and also reveals the perversion of the affluent for the poor and corruptible. Diary of a Chambermaid is a scandal piece that saw Bunuel move to France and the film making society there. It’s not his best but is a clever use of cinema as tool of political force.  Phantom of Liberty is a little seen but worthwhile piece that might be an unseen gem. Its surreal but is so fun, so cutting in places that you have to see it, in order to appreciate its brilliance. The Milky Way starts a vague trilogy called ”the search for truth”. Its about religion without religion, atheism without agenda and what it means to go looking for something that is not there. The awesome That Obscure Object of Desire which was Bunuel final film, zings and clashes with his skill of controversy and challenging sexual desire.  

So the set? Well the package is lovely and clean. It also serves the films well. The additional postcards are ok… then to the best film of the group is Tristana but the extras are weak sadly.Rituals documentary doc (20 minutes) is a weak addition to the set, when you could have gone for so much informed discourse. The 4k remaster however is lush and I was struck by how great it looks compared to the DVD version. The next quality film for me is Belle De Jour – New 50th Anniversary Restoration which is not only well served by a great series of extras but looks stunning. The top extras is The Last Script (1:34:33). Watch it. Also listen to the excellent commentary track from Professor Evans.

The other films That Obscure Object of Desire has been packed out. Great stuff like the features on Bunuel that have depth and reach in his work and is informed, so you don’t have to be. Its well worth a watch. As does the feature New Aesthetics of the Irrational. Its a Q and A that feels rich. The transfer is pristine and makes the DVD worthless in its wake. As all the other releases of this film.  Diary of a Chambermaid is so so but is treated very poorly. The film is not as solid as I think it wants to be or would have been to be fair. The transfer however is again great and looks clean and does not suffer from that colour leak on other versions. Phantom of Liberty is well treated and looks stunning. The film is an unexpectedly dynamic piece and one I can only recommend wholeheartedly. The really worthwhile pieces are New Critical Analysis by professor Evans that makes the piece come even more to life. New Bunuel, la transgression des reves -A new documentary by Pierre-Henri Gibert is also outstanding.

Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie well I am not a fan as much as some of the critical community. Bar the Jones piece it has little to sell it. I was not so taken with it but agree that it looks amazing. Literally the work on the transfer is stunning and should be commended. The Milky Way last but not least. Its underserved and lacks depth in features but it looks sharp and crisp.

7 Disc Set

That Obscure Object of Desire

• New Jean-Claude Carriere interview
• New Aesthetics of the Irrational: ICA Q&A with Jean-Claude Carriere and Diego Bunuel hosted by Tim Robey
• Interview with Carlos Saura
• The arbitrariness of desire by Jean-Claude Carriere
• Lady Doubles – interview with Carole Bouquet and Angela Molina
• Portrait of an impatient filmmaker, Luis Bunuel – Interview with Pierre Lady and Edmond Richard

Belle De Jour – New 50th Anniversary Restoration

• New Jean-Claude Carriere interview
• New Masterclass with Diego Bunuel and Jean-Claude Carriere (1 hour+)
• New Trailer
• Commentary by professor Peter W. Evans
• The Last Script (1:34:33)
• A Story of Perversion or Emancipation? – Interview with Dr Sylvain Mimoun (29:39 in PAL)

Diary of a Chambermaid

• Extras:
• An Angel in the Marshes doc (26 minutes)

Phantom of Liberty

• New Jean-Claude Carriere interview
• New Critical Analysis by professor Peter W. Evans
• New Bunuel, la transgression des reves -A new documentary by Pierre-Henri Gibert
• Photo Gallery

The Milky Way

• New Jean-Claude Carriere interview
• New Critical Analysis by professor Peter W. Evans
• Bunuel, athiest thanks to God doc (32 minutes)
• Trailer

Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

• New Jean-Claude Carriere interview
• A Walk Amongst the Shadows doc (28 minutes)
• Critical analysis by professor Peter W.Evans
• Trailer

Tristana

• New Interview with Franco Nero
• Rituals documentary doc (20 minutes)
• Trailer