Toronto and L.A.-based distributor Unobstructed View has acquired the Canadian distribution rights to the Criterion Collection, making it the home distribution company’s exclusive Canadian distributor.

Since its launch in 1984, the American company has offered a collection of classic and contemporary films for home video, often including restored film transfers and commentary tracks. Films from David Cronenberg like Videodrome and Norman Jewison’s In the Heat of the Night are part of the company’s library. Prior to this, eOne handled the Criterion Collection in Canada.

Negotiated by Unobstructed View’s Jonathan Gross (pictured) with the Criterion Collection’s Jonathan Turell and Brett Sharlow, the agreement will see Unobstructed View and the Criterion Collection work together to provide pricing promotions in the Canadian market for customers, according to a press release. For instance, the Blu-ray release of Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975, which features 15 classics as a 8-disc collector’s set with a hardcover book, will be available for $289.98 on Oct. 29, 2019.

This deal follows the news that Unobstructed View has acquired the Canadian rights to writer/director Sameh Zoabi’s Tel Aviv On Fire (Luxembourg/Belgium/Israel/France). The film previously picked up the prize for best film and best actor (for Kais Nashif) at the Venice Film Festival in 2018, screened as part of TIFF’s Discovery section and opened the 2019 Toronto Jewish Film Festival this May.

Image of Unobstructed View president Jonathan Gross courtesy of Unobstructed View