"The Missing" Catalyst Logic - Region 0

(aka "Bu jian" or "The Missing")

directed by Kang-sheng Lee
Taiwan 2003

Theatrical Release: 4 October 2003 (Pusan International Film Festival) (premiere) - South Korea

DVD Review: Catalyst Logic - Region 0 - NTSC

(2 DVD Boxset with Goodbye Dragon Inn)

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Catalyst Logic - Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:26:27
Video	1.70:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 9.48 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
Bitrate: NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Audio	Mandarin (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby)
Subtitles	English, Chinese, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Catalyst Logic Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.66:1 Edition Details: * 3 page double-sided foldout booklet in Chinese * Scene Selection * Commentary (Mandarin Chinese) * Opening Ceremony (4:25) * News Media Interview (13:54) * Nanhau University (9:23) * National Cheng Kung University (9:52) * I-Shou University (1:50) * Shu Uemure Forum (5:18) * (Note that the extras appear to be identical to the extras included with "Goodbye, Dragon Inn." None of the extras are subtitled.) DVD Release Date: 04/01/2004 Keep Case with Cardboard Slipcase Chapters: 9

Comments:

The picture is in general good, but as with "Goodbye, Dragon Inn" it is a little bit soft. Also, there seems to be some motion artifacts from the compression during some parts of the film (fortunately the artifacts are not too distracting). The outside edge of the picture is somewhat bright, perhaps caused by edge sharpening. Also, the image appears to be off center to the left a small amount, but less so than "Goodbye, Dragon Inn." The picture might be cropped a bit on one or both sides, but I can't tell for certain.

The subtitles are fine, except that the lyrics to the song at the end of the film are not translated (if you'd really like to know what the singer is singing they are located HERE). There is also one short segment of the film where typing on a computer screen is displayed and the subtitles are not displayed quite long enough. I did not notice any problems with the audio; in particular, the problem with the left channel dropout that marred "Goodbye, Dragon Inn" is not present.

This is a very impressive debut film for actor turned director Lee Kang-sheng. The style and content appear to be heavily influenced by Tsai Ming-liang, so anyone who likes Tsai's films should like this film as well.

Paul Whitelock

Recommended Reading in Chinese/Hong Kong/Taiwanese Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)


Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy by Zhen Ni, Chris Berry, Ni Zhen	Zhang Yimou: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers) by Frances Gateward	Chinese Films in Focus: 25 New Takes by Chris Berry	Wong Kar-Wai: Auteur of Time (Bfi World Directors) by Stephen Teo	China into Film: Frames of Reference in Contemporary Chinese Cinema (Envisioning Asia) by Jerome Silbergeld	New Chinese Cinemas by Nick Browne	Once Upon a Time in China : A Guide to Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and Mainland Chinese Cinema by Jeff Yang	Tsai Ming-Liang by Tsai Ming-Liang