(aka "Tropical Maladay" or "Sud pralad" )
directed by
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
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Keng (Banlop Lomnoi) is a soldier who has been assigned duty as a forest ranger in the woodlands of the country. While on duty, he meets a young man named Tong (Sakda Kaewbuadee) ; Keng becomes deeply infatuated with Tong, but while Tong is friendly with Keng, he is obviously unwilling to respond to his romantic overtures. As Keng deals with his disappointment, he learns that a number of animals and villagers have fallen victim to a vicious predator who may be a tiger or a shape-shifting shaman. Keng gathers his courage and begins tracking the beast, which alternately resembles a jungle cat and his friend Tong.
Deeply digestible film requires multiple viewings for all its complexity.
Weerasethakul seems like
the real deal in international cinema although critics seem torn despite the
Jury Prize at Cannes. A beautifully shot film with an equally appealing
soundtrack. Unique and magical.
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out of
Posters
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Theatrical Release: 18 May 2004 (Cannes Film Festival)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL
(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL LEFT vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT)
| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution | Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL | Second Run - Region 0 - PAL |
| Runtime | 1:54:20 (4% PAL Speedup) | 1:54:04 (4% PAL Speedup) |
| Video | 1.78:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.1 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
1.78:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.48 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
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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:
Mangpong |
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| Bitrate:
Second Run |
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| Audio | Thai (Dolby Digital 5.1), Commentary in Thai (Dolby Digital 2.0) | Thai (Dolby Digital 5.1), Thai (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
| Subtitles | English, None | English, None |
| Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Director's
Commentary in Thai (no English subtitles) |
Release Information:
Edition Details:
• Thirdworld - Apichatpong’s 1997 short
film. |
| Comments: |
ADDITION: Second Run - Region 0 PAL - July 08': I don't see any appreciable difference in these two images. Both are very strong standard-definition, dual-layered, anamorphic and progressive. The Second Run is advertised as 'New digital transfer approved by the director.' Neither seem cropped in comparison and they support each other's color palette for accuracy. Detail is strong and I'm very pleased with the visual appearance. Where the Second Run advances is in the improved subtitle translations which seem a shade more complete and the extras are all English-friendly (where they are not on the Mangpong). Second Run offer both an original 5.1 as well as a 2.0 Thai language tracks. The Mangpong is coded for region 3 where the UK release is region 0 - both are in the PAL standard. The supplements are good too: we have the DVD premiere of Apichatpong’s 16-minute 1997 short film 'Thirdworld'. There is a 10 minute, subtitled, newly filmed interview with the director. Also included (on the digital front) are a stills gallery and a few storyboard sequences. Finally we get a 12-page booklet, with color photos, and a new essay by film historian and author Tony Rayns. Wonderful. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed this film and it's nice to have it in such a complete edition in my library with these decent extras. Second Run comes through again. Thanks!
ON THE MANGPONG:
Nothing wrong with this DVD quality that I can see. Fabulous dual
layered, HD sourced image, sharp, accurate colors, deep contrast. The
removable subtitles seem okay, if sparse in some dialogue, but a well
chosen font is never impinging upon the onscreen activity. Audio is a
solid 5.1. There is a commentary and some other extras - all in Thai
with no English subtitles. What makes this most attractive is the price
- about $10 US overseas.
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DVD Menus
(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL LEFT vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT)
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Subtitle Sample
(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL TOP vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL BOTTOM)
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Screen Captures
(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL TOP vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL BOTTOM)
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(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL TOP vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL BOTTOM)
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(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL TOP vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL BOTTOM)
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(Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL TOP vs. Second Run - Region 0 - PAL BOTTOM)
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| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution | Mangpong - Region 3 - PAL | Second Run - Region 0 - PAL |
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