Bit slow bringing you this news, but the Tartan label – whose responsible Asia Extreme label was responsible for exposing many of us to Asian classics such as Ring, Audition and Happiness of the Katakuris – has closed as of the end of last month…
As with Hong Kong Legends, which also recently closed, it’s a sign of how the industry is not recognising the changing habits of their audience. It’s far more than simply the effect of downloading films, or even the effect of a global market which makes worldwide DVD releases, often better packaged than UK ones, available at the same or even cheaper prices.
It’s a sign of how an independent retailer, investing in hard to find, specialty releases, can no longer compete with the big retailers and their bargain bin prices on recent releases. But you have to wonder about the longterm effect of what’s happening to ‘specialty’ retailers – at a point when the consumer should be benefiting from more choice than ever, the chances of them being exposed to anything that’s not – let’s be frank – from Hollywood, are becoming less and less.
Will we even know what a ‘foreign language’ film is in 10 years time…?
This is a real shame considering Tartan’s long standing as an independent retailer, some 20 years or more, and all the films that company has debuted both here and in the US. To the contacts that easternKicks had there – we wish you all the best for the future!
Read more about Tartan on the Guardian Online »
Read more about Tartan’s closure on Variety Asia Online »
