Scott W. Davis
12-20-2003, 05:59 PM
We here at Horror Express don't like to see the little guy picked on, especially if said little guy is working in our best interests. And while we don't openly approve of piracy or copyright infringement, none of what KFC Cinema does even comes close to qualifying. Who says it does? Why the good folks at Miramax of course.
Yes, once again, we are being toyed with by the same people who were once an indie lover's best friend. Now they are it's worst enemy, long sense losing the cause. Miramax has issued a cease and desist letter to KFC Cinema and although we haven't heard of it yet, HK Flix, DDD House and Poker Industries can't be far behind. Their claim is that they are selling films Disney has the legal right to and thus, is breaking the law.
To clarify, these companies sell the ORIGINAL Asian versions of these films, which have long been in print on DVD and video. Some of these have regional coding exclusive to their countries of origin, most of them do not. However, as we have said before, Miramax and their subsidiary Dimension Films has bought up a number of popular films from Japan, China, Hong Kong and Korea. Most of these have still remained unreleased for years by the company, until they decide what to do with them if anything at all. Some of their many projects include SHAOLIN SOCCER, released years ago in Hong Kong to much fanfare. Miramax bought the U.S. rights, but has pushed it back, redubbed, rethought and done everything to push it back. Trailers made it into theatres and we haven't heard anything yet, except that it now may come out in August 2004. Likewise, Tsui Hark's sequel to his 1982 classic ZU was quickly retitled ZU WARRIORS by Miramax, they recut to make Zhang Zi-Yi's part seem bigger than it was. Again, trailers went into the theatres and Miramax changed their mind, pulled it and sits on it. The discs of the originals as released in their native countries are readily available from the retailers Disney doesn't like. Of course, Miramax has released a number of the properties, mostly Jackie Chan and Jet Li films new and old. All of these have been redubbed (usually without the option of subtitles) and most have been severely cut. Chan's THE ACCIDENTAL SPY for instance is missing over 20 minutes in it's U.S. version.
Still, Miramax is putting their foot down, claiming companies like KFC has no legal authority to sell the readily available imported discs. All of this is ridiculous. This isn't piracy, these are official releases. If we didn't get them here, we get them shipped from overseas and there would be no difference. Still, Disney wants the practice stopped. What it basically comes down to is that they don't want people to be able to purchase the films unless it's from them... even though they haven't decided if and when they will release these films. Miramax currently owns hundreds of Asian films, including some of the horror films reviewed on this site, and they are all collecting dust on their shelves awaiting a release and the inevitable cutting room floor from Miramax's in-house editors.
KFC Cinema has written a good and much more even-tempered letter to Miramax urging them to rethink their persecution of these companies and asking them to do what's right by these films. They make a number of interesting points, including pointing out that such behavior from Disney may actually be encouraging real piracy. Bloody Disgusting put their support behind KFC earlier this month and now, we're showing our support to. I urge you to check out this link and show your support to.
Keep up the good work guys. You've got a friend in us.
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Comment on this letter and Miramax's policies in our FORUMS!
Yes, once again, we are being toyed with by the same people who were once an indie lover's best friend. Now they are it's worst enemy, long sense losing the cause. Miramax has issued a cease and desist letter to KFC Cinema and although we haven't heard of it yet, HK Flix, DDD House and Poker Industries can't be far behind. Their claim is that they are selling films Disney has the legal right to and thus, is breaking the law.
To clarify, these companies sell the ORIGINAL Asian versions of these films, which have long been in print on DVD and video. Some of these have regional coding exclusive to their countries of origin, most of them do not. However, as we have said before, Miramax and their subsidiary Dimension Films has bought up a number of popular films from Japan, China, Hong Kong and Korea. Most of these have still remained unreleased for years by the company, until they decide what to do with them if anything at all. Some of their many projects include SHAOLIN SOCCER, released years ago in Hong Kong to much fanfare. Miramax bought the U.S. rights, but has pushed it back, redubbed, rethought and done everything to push it back. Trailers made it into theatres and we haven't heard anything yet, except that it now may come out in August 2004. Likewise, Tsui Hark's sequel to his 1982 classic ZU was quickly retitled ZU WARRIORS by Miramax, they recut to make Zhang Zi-Yi's part seem bigger than it was. Again, trailers went into the theatres and Miramax changed their mind, pulled it and sits on it. The discs of the originals as released in their native countries are readily available from the retailers Disney doesn't like. Of course, Miramax has released a number of the properties, mostly Jackie Chan and Jet Li films new and old. All of these have been redubbed (usually without the option of subtitles) and most have been severely cut. Chan's THE ACCIDENTAL SPY for instance is missing over 20 minutes in it's U.S. version.
Still, Miramax is putting their foot down, claiming companies like KFC has no legal authority to sell the readily available imported discs. All of this is ridiculous. This isn't piracy, these are official releases. If we didn't get them here, we get them shipped from overseas and there would be no difference. Still, Disney wants the practice stopped. What it basically comes down to is that they don't want people to be able to purchase the films unless it's from them... even though they haven't decided if and when they will release these films. Miramax currently owns hundreds of Asian films, including some of the horror films reviewed on this site, and they are all collecting dust on their shelves awaiting a release and the inevitable cutting room floor from Miramax's in-house editors.
KFC Cinema has written a good and much more even-tempered letter to Miramax urging them to rethink their persecution of these companies and asking them to do what's right by these films. They make a number of interesting points, including pointing out that such behavior from Disney may actually be encouraging real piracy. Bloody Disgusting put their support behind KFC earlier this month and now, we're showing our support to. I urge you to check out this link and show your support to.
Keep up the good work guys. You've got a friend in us.
--------
Comment on this letter and Miramax's policies in our FORUMS!