Writer, filmmaker, and programmer Kier La-Janisse is dipping her toes into yet another sector of horror. Her indie publishing imprint Spectacular Optical just announced that it’s expanding with a new branch dedicated to film distribution, featuring a selection of experimental genre films curated by the House of Psychotic Women author.
Launching this month, Spectacular Optical’s film division debuts with the 2023 film A Year in a Field, which premieres on TVOD on April 22 to celebrate Earth Day, followed by a collector’s edition Blu-ray release. They’ve also acquired Paul Wright’s folk horror film Arcadia, and the 1967 experimental film Herostratus.
“After decades of writing and film programming, there are certain films that never leave me,” said Janisse. “And though I’m known most for my explorations in genre, what inspires me is a broad cross-section of multidisciplinary work. And so this label is very personal to me, not so much a commercial enterprise as a dedicated compulsion to share films that have moved me—or even changed me—with a wider audience.”
Spectacular Optical is also partnering with Severin Films, who will handle the home video releases of the label’s curated picks. The two will be co-releasing a new 4K restoration of Melody, the 1971 film directed by Waris Hussein and featuring songs by the Bee Gees, restored from original camera negatives for its first North American release in over fifty years.
But that’s not all the company has in store. They’re also restoring Andrew Horn’s Doomed Love for its first worldwide disc release, as well as releasing a new version of the underground Australian film Pure Shit for its first ever North American home video release.
For more information on Spectacular Optical’s upcoming film releases, you can check out their website.
