(aka "Otets i syn" )
directed
by Aleksandr Sokurov
Russia 2003
Sokurov seeks to transport us into the gentle, lyrical world of the titular father and son, where most communication is made through gestures and glances, and the strength of the understanding and love shared between the lead characters is intuitively, palpably, oppressively understood. The tools Sokurov uses to take us there are similar to those used in the companion film, Mother and Son: stylized photography, with distorted, two-dimensional imagery, earth tones, Tchaikovsky-inspired music, understated acting. Though thematically and stylistically akin to Mother and Son, Father and Son fails to evoke the same profound emotions, try as hard as it may. The whole affair feels too empty, the numerous shots of a head resting silently, lovingly on a shoulder feel too affected. There's a whole lot syle here, but it's inadequate, for it's in service of something that doesn't amount to much.
Posters
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Theatrical Release: May 23, 2003 - Cannes Film Festival
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL
Big thanks to Donald Brown and Henrik Sylow for the Screen Caps!
(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
Wellspring Region 0 - NTSC |
Artificial Eye Region 2 - PAL |
| Runtime | 1:22:24 | 1:22:30 |
| Video |
1.77:1 Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.76:1 Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Wellspring
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Bitrate:
Artificial Eye
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| Audio | Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1 |
2.0 Dolby Digital Russian |
| Subtitles | English, none | English, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Wellspring Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 16 |
Release Information: Studio: Artificial Eye Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: Dec. 6, 2004 Chapters 12 |
| Comments |
The warm, muted colors and slightly
soft, dreamy imagery of the film are pretty well represented on this
video-sourced disc. It's often dark and murky, but that's presumably an
effect Sokurov was going for. The handful of still photos included as an
extra are quite lovely, with imagery that's even nicer than what's seen in
the film. (Donald Brown) ---------------------- The image of Artificial Eye is almost identical to Wellspring, however it is sharper in detail. While the film is very soft in tone, image #5 shows the difference in detail (notice the reflection on Aleksei's arm [also compare the sharpness of the x-ray in these captures - DB]). There is also more frameinformation in the AE image, aprx 1% more top and bottom, and 1% right. Most striking is the difference is subtitling. As shown here, on the Wellspring DVD it says "Are you over there again?", while the AE says "Are you still over there?", which are two completely different questions. It would be nice, if someone who understood Russian could comment on what is said, in order to determine the most correct translation. Following a trailer and filmography of director, writer and DoP, AE has added the 1995 short "Soldatski Son" (A Soldier’s Dream). Directed by Alexander Sokurov, its an poetic account of lonely Russian soldiers stationed on the Tajiki-Afghani border are a meditation on humanity’s ultimately spiritual nature. It is presented in 4:3 full screen and is very dark and murky. The image may have been cropped for theatrical, and subsequently DVD, release, as the Ruscico DVD is presented in 1.33:1 full screen, according to (http://shop.gay.ru/products/4155.html) and other Russian sources. The Ruscico DVD also runs reported 97 minutes, vs. the 83 minutes running time of both DVDs reviewed here, as has 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, vs. 2.0 Dolby Digital. (Henrik Sylow) ------------------ It should also be pointed out that the Wellspring is a PAL-to-NTSC transfer, a fact I was unaware when I wrote the review for that edition. (DB) -Henrik and Donald |
DVD Menus
(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT
vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)
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Subtitle sample
Captures resized to 700px width
(Wellspring
- Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
Note the difference in the question!
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Screen Captures
(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Wellspring - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Artificial Eye |
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Sound: |
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| Extras: | Artificial Eye |
| Menu: | Artificial Eye |
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| Distribution |
Wellspring Region 0 - NTSC |
Artificial Eye Region 2 - PAL |
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...
