"Light Keeps Me Company" First Run Features - Region 0

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

(aka 'Light Keeps me Company')

directed by Carl-Gustav Nykvist
USA 1955

"Feeling wrapped in light gives me a sense of spiritual atmosphere," confesses legendary cinematographer Sven Nykvist, whose rich career suddenly ended in 1998 when he was diagnosed with aphasia. This retrospective documentary directed by son Carl-Gustav Nykvist examines the way he molded the cold winter light and simple studio setups into the enthralling images in films by Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Andrei Tarkovksy, and of course Ingmar Bergman. "Our feeling for light was the same," observes Bergman in a rare interview, as generous film excerpts illustrate. While the quality of some of the clips is less than stellar (and many are unidentified), the power and texture of the images sear through. Carl-Gustav is less revealing of his father's personal life, suggesting that his career came at the expense of his family, and that this reverent and loving tribute is a son's attempt to reconnect. The DVD features a text introduction by the director and a comprehensive Sven Nykvist filmography.

--Sean Axmaker

Theatrical Release: February 5th, 200 - Gothenberg Film Festival - Sweden

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DVD Review: First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:15:24
Video	1.57:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 3.80 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
Audio	Swedish - some English (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono)
Subtitles	English (burned in)
Features	Release Information: Studio: First Run Features Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.57:1 Edition Details: • Director's Foreward (text screens) • Filmography • 4 First Run Features trailer DVD Release Date: January 11th, 2002 Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

As far as straight DVD quality goes - this is quite weak. Non-HD video sourced - burned in subtitles and meager, if attempted, extras. But as far as I know it is not out in another digital disc format (certainly with English subtitles). For Bergman, Tarkovsky, cinematography fans - this is a must-see documentary. As far as being a documentary - it is again - less than brilliant. What First Run Features is selling in this DVD is the content of the interviews- which is priceless.

This DVD - though nothing close to Criterion or Warner quality - has great value for its rarity. I recommend buying while you can - its the type of obscure disc that will disappear and never return.

Gary W. Tooze

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