Tartan USA closes

Devasting news, everyone. If you are a fan of Asian films then prepare to be crest fallen. On May 19, it was announced that public foreclosure sale of all assets of Tartan Films USA Inc. and Tartan Video USA Inc., including its film library, would take place at 10 a.m. What this means, I’m not sure. But if you go to the company’s Web site at www.tartanfilmusa.com, there are no news and events. You can, however, scan through its 101 titles, which includes some of the best of the best, including my favorite titles “OldBoy,” “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Lady Vengeance,” “Ab-Normal Beauty,” “Shutter” … scrolling through the titles, makes me sick because I recognize so many that have made me fall in love with Asian horror and cinema. It’s difficult enough to get Asian films in the U.S., unless someone else steps in. Now it looks as if it’s just got more difficult.