The film was entered into competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1995 and screened at the London Film Festival on 5 November . It received a limited release in the USA on 26 January 1996 . Critical reception was very strong , with the performances and production values being particularly praised . Janet Maslin claimed the film had " ... formidable intensity and haunting beauty " and Roger Ebert awarded it 3.5 Stars . Edward Guthmann of the San Francisco Chronicle thought that Haas directed the film " ... with elegance and control , and seasons the sexier , more melodramatic elements of his tale with subtle , slightly mocking irony . " Time Out concluded that '' Angels and Insects '' " ... is not your average period drama ... the costumes , design , music and camerawork steer clear of naturalism , highlighting both the modernity of the approach and the notions of humans as creatures to be observed dispassionately . Despite some uneven pacing and variability in performance , this is a work of clarity , ambition and intelligence . " In the USA the film was released on VHS on 21 February 2000 , on DVD 19 March 2002 . In the UK the film was released on 3 February 2003 on both DVD and VHS
Cannes Film Festival
1995 Cannes Film Festival
Angels & Insects