(aka "Solntse" )
directed by Aleksandr Sokurov
Russia / France / Italy / Switzerland 2005
The first two films in Alexander Sokurov’s trilogy about (in)famous men of power – ‘Moloch’ (on Hitler) and ‘Taurus’ (Lenin) – were turgid, trite and a tad problematic (implying, for example, that the Führer didn’t know about Auschwitz). Happily, this final instalment, chronicling a day in the life of Japan’s Emperor Hirohito at the end of WWII, makes for a conclusion that’s not only superior to its predecessors but a fine, fascinating film in its own right. What makes Hirohito’s story special is that he agreed, when surrendering to the Allies and commanding his subjects to stop sacrificing their lives for Japan and him, to renounce his imperial claim to divinity. Wisely, Sokurov focuses on this tricky moment of transition, with Hirohito (Issey Ogata, from Edward Yang’s ‘Yi-Yi’) introduced as he dresses with the rather redundant help of a loyal old retainer. The rest of the day includes a meeting with chiefs of staff, time spent on personal interests (marine biology, haiku, Hollywood stars), and two sessions with General MacArthur (Robert Dawson): a day, despite its historic import, lived by a human rather than the descendant of a sun goddess. In showing Hirohito trying out this novel notion, Sokurov avails himself of a witty, touching, supremely expressive turn by Ogata, illuminating not only the gloomier corners of the imperial bunker but the obscure parameters of what was, inevitably, a strange psyche. Indeed, the entire film (and, perhaps, the trilogy) may finally be regarded as a journey into light: Hirohito’s abrogation of privilege and power liberates his people, his family and himself from a death-wish deeply ingrained in twentieth-century life.
Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE
Theatrical Release: February 17, 2005 (Berlin International Film Festival)
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DVD Review: Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL
Big thanks to Henrik Sylow for the Review!
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Artificial Eye Region 2 - PAL |
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| Runtime | 1:50:21 | |
| Video |
1.78:1 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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| Audio | 2.0 Dolby Digital Japanese / English | |
| Subtitles | English (when spoken Japanese), None | |
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Release Information: Studio: Artificial Eye Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 14 |
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| Comments |
Shot
on HD-video, digitally manipulated, then transferred to 35mm, the
transfer is not without issues. Compression artefacts vary from
scene to scene, depending on whether shot in studio or outdoors,
whether what light source is present, whether its manipulated or
not. The film is presented in a tight anamorphic, progressive transfer at 1.78:1 (not its OAR of 1.85:1. A marginal loss of about 4%). The sound comes in 2.0 and 5.1 Dolby digital. The 5.1 is to be preferred, as it allows a wider sound stage, versus a claustrophobic feel to the 2.0, especially when overlapping multiple dialogue. |
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Subtitle sample - Capture is resized from 1016px to 800px
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Gary Tooze
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