Home Media Magazine - November 11-17, 2007 - (Page 22) Edited by Angelique Flores www.homemediamagazine.com Azteca America. “Due to the length of the novela, it is almost impossible to release it otherwise, unless we cut more than half of the story,” Ricardez said about releasing the show in seasons. “That is something we want to avoid.” Laguna did not indicate when the next installments of the show will be available on DVD. Both novelas include trivia and biographies. And neither have English subtitles. “At this time, we believe the main consumer of this product will be mostly Spanishspeaking, since the content basically appeals to devoted viewers of the format,” Ricardez said. “On the other hand, if there is enough demand for subtitles, we may consider that for other hit releases with crossover appeal in the near future.” Laguna Breaks Ground in Novela Market Releases series in their entirety, unedited By Angelique Flores aguna Productions has entered the telenovela market with a bang. The company is releasing its novelas unedited. Other distributors such as Image Entertainment and Xenon Pictures, which has been dominating the market, have been releasing novelas on DVD for some time. However, those programs have been edited to fit on up to four — sometimes double-sided — discs. “Laguna has always tried to break ground in the Latino market,” said Monica Ricardez, director of business and market devel- L opment for Laguna Productions. “And although releasing all this content is not common practice in the industry, it is one of those risks we needed to take in order to give our customers more content at a competitive price.” Laguna released its first novela, Azul Tequila, in June. It was the first title in the market to debut in its entirety, in an unedited format. The eightdisc deluxe package ($24.98) clocked in at 48 hours long. “The idea of releasing novelas in an uncut format is with the in- tention of giving the consumer a final product that gives them the satisfaction of reliving the experience at their leisure and with all the details they saw on television,” Ricardez said. “Como en el Cine” is the second novela that Laguna will release in an unedited format, but it’s the first to come as a three-season release. Como en el Cine: Temorada 1 (first season) will street Jan. 8 (prebook Dec. 11). The eight-disc set ($29.95) will come in deluxe packaging and will have 56 hours of the show that aired in the United States on COM I NG Continued from page 20 Dec. 6) presents Dark Blue Almost Black (DVD $27.99), a drama that explores the generational politics in Spain, where the young are generally expected to carry on traditions and values. The film was released theatrically in Spain and won three Goya awards for best new director, best actor and best supporting actor. UP I STRAND RELEASING Jan. 8 (prebook I TLA RELEASING Dec. 4 releases Sex Crazy (DVD $19.99), a Spanish comedy about a wacky group of asylum residents who get therapy at a brothel. I UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT Dec. 18 bows Franc. Reyes’ latest film, Illegal Tender (DVD $29.98), starring Rick Gonzalez, Wanda de Jesus and reggaeton star Tego Calderon. From Screen Media Films Jan. 22 (prebook Dec. 18) comes a psychological thriller from Alfredo De Villa, Adrift in Manhattan (DVD $24.98). I VANGUARD CINEMA Dec. 18 releases El Abandonado (DVD $19.95), a contemporary retelling of the story of Job. I VENEVISION INTERNATIONAL Nov. 20 has The Hidden/Oculto (DVD $17.98), a thriller starring Angie Cepeda. Coming Dec. 18 is the lucha libre documentary Loco Fighters (DVD $12.98), featuring such stars of the sport as the Blue Demon Jr., Fray Tormenta and El Huracan Ramirez. The same day comes Fiel a la Vega: The Concert (DVD $16.98), a music concert featuring the Puerto Rican band. Also on Dec. 18 arrives the telenovela Las Gonzalez (DVD $14.98). Jan. 15 (prebook Dec. 6) has the collector’s edition of the 1995 drama El Callejón de los Milagros (DVD $12.98), starring Salma Hayek. I WESTLAKE ENTERTAINMENT Dec. 11 offers the inspirational documentary Mario’s Story (DVD $19.98), about a young Latino from East Los Angeles who is convicted of murder at 16 based on circumstantial evidence. While in prison, Mario joins the Inside Out Writing Program. Today his writings are still being read in U.S. prisons. I XENON PICTURES Nov. 27 releases the telenovela Dame Chocolate (four-DVD set $24.98), starring Carlos Ponce and Génesis Rodriguez. – Angelique Flores 22 Home Media Magazine November 11–17, 2007 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.strandreleasing.com http://www.strandreleasing.com
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