Daisies - Sedmikrásky Vera Chytilová Second Run

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Daisies')

Directed by Vera Chytilová
Czechoslovakia 1966

Vera Chytilová's classic of surrealist cinema comes to Second Run DVD in an all-new digital transfer with improved picture and sound. A satirical, wild and irreverent story of teenage rebellion. Two young women rebel against a degenerate and oppressive society, attacking symbols of wealth and bourgeois culture. A riotous, punk-rock poem of a film that is both hilarious and mind-warpingly innovative, Daisies was banned in native Czechoslovakia and director Vera Chytilová was forbidden to work until 1975. Special features include; New filmed interview with director Vera Chytilová; Booklet essays; All new director-approved digital transfer from original negative materials with restored picture and sound.

***

A satirical, wild and irreverent story of rebellion, Věra Chytilová’s classic of surrealist cinema is perhaps also the most adventurous and anarchic Czech movie of the 1960s.

Two young women, both named Marie, revolt against a degenerate, decayed and oppressive society, attacking symbols of wealth and bourgeois culture. Defiant feminist statement? Nihilistic, avant-garde comedy? It remains a cinematic enigma and its influence is still felt today - from the extreme Baise-Moi to the mainstream Thelma & Louise and in the films of (amongst others) Jacques Rivette, Bertrand Blier, Catherine Breillat and Gregg Araki.

A riotous, punk-rock poem of a film that is both hilarious and mind-warpingly innovative, Daisies continues to provoke, stimulate and entertain.

Excerpt from Second Run's website located HERE

Theatrical Release: December 30th, 1966

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DVD Review: Second Run - Region 0 - PAL

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Second Run DVD - Region 0 - PAL
Runtime	1:12:48 (4% PAL Speedup)
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.98 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	Czech (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Second Run DVD Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Journey (Cesta) - Jasmina Bralic’s acclaimed documentary film portrait of director Vera Chytilová (52:36). • New digital transfer with restored image and sound, approved by the director. • 20-page booklet featuring a new essay by author and film programmer Peter Hames. • Trailer. DVD Release Date: June 1st, 2009 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 10

Comments:

Cited on the box as 'New digital transfer with restored image and sound, approved by the director.', and I have no reason to doubt it with this dual-layered DVD edition from Second Run looking superior to all past digital incarnations that I'm aware of (including single-layered U.S. - Facets, Japanese and Spanish releases). Colors are lively and grain is prevalent. Only some minor macro-blocking impinges this release - or it almost looks hi-def! It's notably clean with surprising detail for a film over 40-years old. The DVD is region free, progressive, in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and rendered in the PAL standard.

The flat 2.0 channel audio is fairly consistent but not a big part of the presentation. There are, complete, optional English subtitles. Supplements include Jasmina Bralic's 'Journey' (Cesta). It's an informative documentary, short of an hour, on the Vera Chytilová - who is considered one of the foremost directors of the 1960's Czech New Wave. There is also a 2-minute trailer and a 20-page booklet featuring a new essay by author and film programmer Peter Hames.

Madcap, amusing romp with political undertones. Kind of a controlled acid trip with psychedelic Czech new-wave scenarios. This is very cool and reminded me a bit of Godard's more playful work. Amusingly Daisies was immediately banned (?!?!?!), but then was released in 1967... and won the Grand Prix at the Bergamo Film Festival. Second Run have done a great job here and this is really worthy of shelf-space in your DVD library. Highly recommended!