Artificial Eye, the arthouse distribution company established in 1976, is being relaunched by UK film company Curzon as a theatrical and home entertainment label.
Artificial Eye was founded in 1976 by film enthusiasts Andi and Pam Engel. The label became renowned for releasing the best in independent, foreign-language and arthouse films, and they introduced films by directors such as Béla Tarr, the Dardenne Brothers and Trần Anh Hùng to UK and Irish audiences. The library boasts over 400 critically acclaimed films from the world's best directors, including Wim Wenders, Michael Haneke and Claire Denis. Artificial Eye has been part of the Curzon group since 2006 and returns after a 10-year hiatus. Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure was one of the last films released under the previous version of the label.
Force Majeure (2014)
Led by Managing Director Louisa Dent, who has been with the company since 2008, Curzon has continued to release critically acclaimed films under the Curzon Film label, including Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite, the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever at the UK and Eire box office. Dent will spearhead the selection of films for both Artificial Eye and Curzon Film, with the
existing distribution team at Curzon operating Artificial Eye.
The first film released under the new Artificial Eye banner will be the acclaimed Berlin competition title My Favourite Cake by Iranian duo Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha. A new, refreshed branding, based on the original iconic design, will be released alongside the film.
Curzon Film’s forthcoming slate includes Sundance hit Kneecap.
Parasite (2019)
Curzon CEO Edward Fletcher said;
"With Curzon celebrating its 90th year, it feels fitting to see the return of Artificial Eye, a much-loved label with a rich history and global reputation amongst cinephiles. At Curzon, we have witnessed exciting growth in young audiences seeking out classic and repertory cinema, and Artificial Eye has a deeply felt heritage value within that story. It feels like the perfect moment to bring the beloved label back.
"Our experienced acquisitions team, led by our Managing Director Louisa Dent, will curate select additions to the catalogue – focusing on our traditional ingredients of director-led world cinema and outstanding discovery work from emerging filmmakers. I’m thrilled that the magnificent My Favourite Cake will relaunch the label, it's a film that chimes with the classic Artificial Eye films of the past whilst feeling thoroughly fresh and modern.”
