Does anyone know how to locate 35mm film prints?

Submitted by tweakofnature t3_z6f4o0 in movies

Hey guys,

As you know, cult filmmaker Albert Pyun passed away yesterday. He was my very good friend and neighbor. I was there when he took his last breath with his wife Cynthia and their son Chris at his side. He was in a lot of pain for many years and I am very happy he is no longer suffering. Albert was the kindest and most generous person I have ever known. He and his wife personally helped me move from Chicago to Las Vegas and I considered them to be my "Vegas Parents."

One of Albert's dying wishes was to have his second movie, the 1986 film "Radioactive Dreams," remastered for a potential release. His wife has been in contact with some people who can make this happen, but there is a snag... the 35mm film print was improperly stored and lost. I have contacted the film's producer (Tom Karnowski) and the film's cinematographer (Chuck Minsky) and both only have the original pan & scan version on VHS. Albert wanted a proper widescreen release.

Alamo Drafthouse screen Radioactive Dreams a few years back, and I have sent their twitter handles messages but have no received a response.

Any information would be greatly appreciated as I want to fulfill my friend's dying wish. You can also get in touch with his wife, Cynthia Curnan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well.

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gm5891 t1_iy150k0 wrote

You might want to reach out to Justin Decloux (Declouxj on Twitter). He wrote a book on Pyun and has done some (unrelated) film restoration work, maybe he'd be able to help.

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy15vgv wrote

Good call! I'm going to do that right now. Thank you!

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sleepyaza124 t1_iy2cclk wrote

Yeah definitely Justin Decloux. The film played on 35mm in Toronto in 2019 I believe. He can probably get you in contact with the right person there. Best of luck to you!

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The-Curious-Sofa t1_iy14y72 wrote

Was there only one print ? Usually there should be several and ideally you'd like to get the negative for a remaster. The film was released on DVD in Germany, so there should be a more recent widescreen master than a pan & scan VHS tape, though that too might look dated by now. You need to find out who is the current licence or rights holder is and locate the negative, or failing that a print. De Laurentiis Entertainment Group is listed as the distributor, so contact them, legally you can't do anything without them anyway. I'd also make some phone calls, rather than leave it to Twitter. Best of luck !

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy15s2q wrote

I'm sure there are several prints out there. I own the German DVD, it is not the correct aspect ratio according to Albert after I showed him. Someone suggested reaching out to DEG, so that's my next move. Thank you for the input!

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tonequality t1_iy1tufa wrote

Reach out to the American Genre Film Archive (born out of the Alamo Drafthouse). https://www.americangenrefilm.com/ This is their bread and butter and would be the best people to talk to. Joseph Ziemba specifically is one of the main guys.

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VisibleEvidence t1_iy1wjzj wrote

Most old 35mm prints were archived and held in storage at places like Gilboys, in Pico Rivera, which eventually went tits up and became Breakwater Transport and then... it's been awhile and I really don't know who does it anymore. But if you go to any repertory theater that still screens 35mm they'll know and can tell you. It's where all those places actually rent the 35mm prints they screen from. I think Theater Transit Company is still around. You could try them. Good luck.

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Restlessannoyed t1_iy2g8qe wrote

No help except an upvote, but god damn, I wish for your success. This was my favorite of his films and I've always hoped it would have an updated release. Good luck!

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy2ggfh wrote

Upvoting helps. I want this to get some visibility. Much appreciated! :)

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sbsouth t1_iy2gmb8 wrote

You also might want to talk to FotoKem in Burbank, CA. They have always been the main film house in Hollywood and may have handled the prints or negative at some point or another and have records of them. They are still in business last I checked.

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arealhumannotabot t1_iy3uzbc wrote

Why not just contact them directly? Corporate contacts are usually something you can find, just less in-your-face compared to social media contacts

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[deleted] t1_iy106d5 wrote

[deleted]

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy10elg wrote

I don't live in a state that has Alamo Drafthouse and the only numbers I have found are for customer service for the theaters themselves. I'll keep trying to be a normal human being. Thanks.

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Zachwy t1_iy12s48 wrote

try LinkedIn and message the Alamo distribution/ programming people with this request. In addition you could look up who owns the rights to this film and request a contact at that company. There are entire departments that handle these requests… although, no guarantee if that 35 print is findable or exists where they say it does. good luck

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy13hs2 wrote

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how do you look up who owns the rights to films? I went on imdb and found this: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091818/companycredits?ref_=ttfc_sa_3

But I don't know if any are the rights holders.

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Zachwy t1_iy14hsm wrote

Technically, all of those distributors at one time held the rights to distribute and store that material. No telling if the rights have lapsed or where the masters are being kept, if at all. Your best bet would be De Laurentiis, who according to IMDb handled the USA theatrical release. There is a good chance if Alamo screened it in SoCal there exists a print in one of the big studios’ storage, or perhaps DEG will have a copy.

I would start by finding a contact at De Laurentiis and asking them to provide you with information about the 35mm print masters.

In addition, Cynthia, being a close contact to him, may be helpful in connecting you with people related to this film.

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy15ie6 wrote

Cynthia doesn't know much. She met Albert in 1997 after he finished shooting Mean Guns. She doesn't have a lot of info on his work before that time. I'll see if I can reach out to DEG. I appreciate your input.

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Zachwy t1_iy15qpy wrote

Be sure to reach out to the Alamo people as well, as they might be helpful in legitimizing your request to a studio who owns the rights.

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tweakofnature OP t1_iy15zmw wrote

I'm trying to find a phone number for their HQ rather than a basic customer service number

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