(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
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Reviews
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DVD Reviews
Theatrical Release: May 1993 (Cannes Film Festival)
DVD Comparison:
Columbia Tri-Star Studios - NTSC Region 1 vs. Gaumont - CTSHV - Region 2 - PAL
(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.
| DVD Box Covers |
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| Distribution | Columbia
Tri-Star Region 0 (NTSC) |
Gaumont - CTSHV Video
Region 2 - PAL |
| Runtime | 1:43:48 min | 1:39:18 min ( PAL 4% Speedup ) |
| 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 |
| Bitrate:
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| Bitrate:
Gaumont - CTSHV |
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| Audio | Vietnamese (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
Vietnamese (Dolby Digital 2.0), French commentary track |
| Subtitles | Yellow English (non-removable). | French, German, Dutch, English and None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Columbia Tri-Star
Discographic
Information:
• 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 |
Release Information:
Discographic Information: Video compression mode : MPEG-2
• 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 ).
DVD Release Date: September 24, 2001 Double slim Keep
Case |
| Comments |
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)
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Subtitle Samples
(Columbia Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP vs. Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Columbia
Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP vs.
Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Columbia
Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC RIGHT vs.
Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - LEFT)
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(Columbia
Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC RIGHT vs.
Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - LEFT)
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(Columbia
Tri-Star Region 1- NTSC TOP vs.
Gaumont - CTSHV Region 2- PAL - BOTTOM)
NOTE: Columbia Tri-Star did not transfer each frame individually.
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Gaumont - CTSHV |
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Sound: |
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| Extras: | Gaumont - CTSHV |
| Menu: | Gaumont - CTSHV |
| DVD Box Covers |
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| Distribution | Columbia
Tri-Star Region 0 (NTSC) |
Gaumont - CTSHV Video
Region 2 - PAL |
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Gary Tooze 1775 Rowntree Court Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4V3 CANADA |
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