The Scent of Green Papaya Blu-ray

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

(aka "The Scent of Green Papaya")

Vietnam 1993

Taking place in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the story of “The Scent of Green Papaya” is similar to the simple, yet deeply revealing characteristics of a profound quotation. It starts as a 10-year-old servant-in-training, named Mui, arrives at the family home of her new employers in Saigon. The story is all about her life. The viewers see her experiences and can feel some of her naive, innocent and wholesome view of life through her wide, expressive eyes. In her decade-long term as their dutiful servant, she witnesses the heartbreak of abandonment by the family’s restless father. In addition, she observes and learns from a gentle, grandfatherly neighbour the ability to love from a distance. The audience sees constant juxtapositions of characters that cruelly shun nature while Mui is amused and comforted by their existence. In an extension of placid Asian philosophy, Mui’s quiet observances lead her from her second family home to an evolving one of her own, as she herself enters the 'Circle of Life'.

Tran also included some subtle political connections. Twice he imposed the sound of a screeching overhead jet-plane incidentally marking dire circumstances for the family unit. Along with unexplained references to a “curfew”, this was obviously alluding to the dividing Vietnamese north and south conflict from1954 to 1975. While many films about or from Vietnam deal with the imposing specter of war that has ravaged that country, Tran only alluded to this aspect of the identity of his birth place using his personal brand of delicate and subtle references. Without submerging his viewers in the topic, Tran simply indicated his awareness.

Excerpt from Gary Tooze's article on Anh Hung Tran located HERE

Posters

(Click on Left poster for larger version)

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Theatrical Release: May 1993 (Cannes Film Festival)

Comparison:

Columbia Tri-Star Studios - NTSC Region 1 vs. Gaumont - CTSHV - Region 2 - PAL vs. Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

(Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC RIGHT vs. Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - LEFT)

The Gaumont - CTSHV is on the TOP 100 List of DVDs.

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC LEFT

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Columbia Tri-Star Region 0 (NTSC)	Gaumont - CTSHV Video Region 2 - PAL	Lorber Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:43:48 min	1:39:18 min ( PAL 4% Speedup )	1:43:53.268
Video	1.33:1 Open Matte Average Bitrate: 4.81 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.66:1 Letterboxed WideScreen Average Bitrate: 5.66 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,947,750,040 bytes Feature: 28,002,232,320 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps
Bitrate: CTS
Bitrate: Gaumont - CTSHV
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Audio	Vietnamese (Dolby Digital 2.0)	Vietnamese (Dolby Digital 2.0), French commentary track	LPCM Audio Vietnamese 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles	Yellow English (non-removable).	French, German, Dutch, English and None	English and None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Columbia Tri-Star Discographic Information: DVD Encoding: Region 1 Layers: Dual Edition Details: • 1.33:1 - Pan and Scan • Color • 28 Chapters • Three Theatrical Trailers ("The Scent of Green Papaya", "The Vertical Ray of the Sun", "Farinelli") DVD Release Date: December 18, 2001 Keep Case Chapters: 28	Release Information: Studio: Gaumont - CTSHV Video Edition Details: • On opposite side to Tran's "Cyclo" 2nd Disc contains two short films: "The Making of 'The Scent of Green Papaya' and 'The Making of Cyclo' " both narrated in French ( French subtitles only ). • Region 2 encoding • Color, Dolby Surround Sound, Widescreen anamorphic, • Character Profiles • Commentary by Anh Hung Tran (in French) DVD Release Date: September 24, 2001 Double slim Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Lorber 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,947,750,040 bytes Feature: 28,002,232,320 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps Edition Details: • 1.66:1 • Behind the Scenes Featurette (12:43) • Theatrical Trailer (:58) • Stills Gallery (12 images) Blu-ray Release Date: April 26th, 2011 Standard Blu-ray Case inside cardboard slipcase Chapters: 12

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Lorber Region 'A' Blu-ray: April 2011: Described as 'available for the first time in its original theatrical aspect ratio...' (which we know is not true but I suppose for North American audiences it may hold validity.) Yes, we have 1.66:1 as the aspect ratio and this gorgeous films look... gorgeous in 1080P. Colors, especially flesh tones, reach there true hues and the image is impressive. Some background grain but no demonstrative depth. I am so pleased with the appearance I have seen the film twice already in HD (plus 5-6 times in the past decade). I see NO interfering signs of manipulations on the dual-layered disc and the image is clear, bright and highly recommendable.

The audio is a HUGE part of this film from delicate piano, amorous crickets, frying food, chirping birds, burping frogs, air raid sirens, squeaking childish farts and silence interspersed with the traditional music of Tiêt Tôn-Thât occasionally jarring you back into attention with eerie contemplative purity. The linear 2.0 channel certainly sounds buoyant and the soundstage is active supporting the viewing experience in ways I couldn't have imagined. WONDERFUL! - there are optional English subtitles available.

It would have been too much to ask for the Tran commentary to be here (translated) as a supplement but there is the 12-minutes 'Behind the Scenes' featurette, a trailer and a Stills Gallery.

This Blu-ray has reminded me of my love for this film and Tran's mastery of its realization. I am ecstatic that this transfer has the strength it does and I can finally retire the Gaumont PAL (OOP) package - although it still has Cyclo. Don't miss this Blu-ray - strongly recommended!

***

ON THE DVDs: Once great DVD production house/studio - Columbia Tri-Star gets a huge "F" grade on this digital versatile disc effort. Counting the things they have done wrong in this DVD:

• Incorrect Aspect Ratio

• Brightened image

• Non-removable (and ugly) subtitles

• No decent extra features

• Not progressively transferred

I wonder why CTS seem so indifferent towards a lot of their foreign language releases? They did a very poor job of the Apu Trilogy, and King of Masks, (and a few other prominent titles). There only saving grace is they at least don't transfer direct from PAL masters. It really is a disrespectful slap in the face as CTS have produced some wonderful Hollywood films onto DVD in North America. I truly believe they have a low opinion of North American viewers while constantly sporting full frame transfers of these films. They obviously have access to the correct aspect ratio - as they joined with Gaumont to do the Region 2 version.

The Gaumont - CTSHV PAL DVD is one of my favorite. The image is sharp (sharper than the NTSC) it has Tran's award winning "Cyclo" on the opposite side, it has excellent contrast and is chocked full of extras, albeit un-subtitled in English ones. The subtitles are excellent and each frame was transferred separately making for a smooth and tight image. Color is far superior to the NTSC. It's failing may seem to be that it is too dark - but I truly believe this is exactly how the film is meant to look. You would not notice on your output, but are welcome to boost your contrast/brightness yourself if you feel the need (you won't!).

I have often said the French and the Japanese produce some of the best DVDs, and this, the TV1 "In The Mood For Love" and Japanese Artist Film "Eureka" and Elite "Hero" are excellent examples.

We strongly recommend the Gaumont DVD as a perfect addition to you collection.

Gary W. Tooze

NOTE: The Gaumont DVD is listed on the Essential DVDs page located HERE.

DVD Menu
(Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC RIGHT vs. Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - LEFT)

Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

Subtitle Samples

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

(Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC RIGHT vs. Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - LEFT)

Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

(Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC RIGHT vs. Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - LEFT)

Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

NOTE: Columbia Tri-Star did not transfer each frame individually.

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE

3) Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

More Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Captures

Report Card:

Image:	Blu-ray
Sound:	Blu-ray
Extras:	Gaumont - CTSHV

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Columbia Tri-Star Region 0 (NTSC)	Gaumont - CTSHV Video Region 2 - PAL	Lorber Region 'A' - Blu-ray