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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

(aka 'Five' or 'Five Dedicated To Ozu')

Directed by Abbas Kiarostami
Iran / Japan / France 
2003

 

Five sequences : 1) A piece of driftwood on the seashore, carried about by the waves 2) People walking on the seashore. The oldest ones stop by, look at the sea, then go away 3) Blurry shapes on a winter beach. A herd of dogs. A love story 4) A group of loud ducks cross the image, in one direction then the other 5) A pond, at night. Frogs improvising a concert. A storm, then the sunrise.

***

Iranian director Abbas Kiaraostami's documentary "Five" is like a bad day at the seaside in winter. It comprises five segments each with a fixed camera focused on a patch of seafront accompanied mostly by the sound of rushing water. It's clear that Kiarostami's artistic pebble skips along a unique path but many viewers may decide this is a beach too far.

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 26th, 2004 (Cannes Film Festival) 

Reviews    More Reviews    DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC vs. BFI  Region 2 - PAL

(Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. BFI Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

Distribution Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL
Runtime 1:14:18  1:14:09 
Video 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.99 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.47 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Bitrate:

Audio No Dialogue (Dolby Digital 2.0)  No Dialogue (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles None None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Kino Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• Making of (with optional English subtitles) -  51:06

DVD Release Date: July 24th, 2007

Keep Case
Chapters: 5

Release Information:
Studio: BFI Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• Making of (with optional English subtitles) -  51:18

Ten page liner notes booklet with essays by Jonathan Romney and Geoff Andrew

DVD Release Date: March 31st, 2008

Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 6

 

Comments:

ADDITION: BFI - Region 2- PAL - March 08': The BFI is, to no surprise, better in that it is progressive - OR from the correct standard. Either way the BFI doesn't have the combing/ghosting that the Kino transfer produces. Other than that, both are non-anamorphic and share the same 'Making of... ' featurette. BFI has seen fit to add a nice liner notes booklet with essays by Jonathan Romney and Geoff Andrew. Price is fairly compatible so we easily recommend the, superior, BFI edition. 

***

ON THE KINO: This appears to be a direct port from the existing MK2 edition found HERE. Knowing Kino though this is absolutely a PAL-NTSC port with visible combing. Shot in video the combing might be inherent but with Kino's track record I'll wager they did nothing to the PAL transfer. There is no dialogue, no subtitles are necessary - only the sounds of the ocean subsist. Detail in the image is not particularly sharp but I believe it isn't in the French release either.

The unconventional narrative (no characters or plot) and only 5 long takes will suit a very narrow crowd. I have even heard divisive words from the art-house devotees. Personally I did get something out of it but can easily see that the vast majority of viewers will not and I slightly resent the title relationship to Ozu as I didn't feel much of a bonding with his gentle social dramas. Kiarostami's film is contemplative and his recent work I have seen appears to be getting more 'distant' every year I view yet another. I couldn't compare this work to much else - closest perhaps to 10 - certainly nothing like ABC Africa (2001), The Wind Will Carry Us (1999), A Taste of Cherry (1997), And Life Goes on... (1991), Close Up (1990) or Where Is the Friend's Home? (1987).

There is an extra feature - a optionally subtitled 'Making Of...' that runs about 50 minutes. It sheds only minor light of the production motivations but fans will definitely find it worth at least one spin to listen to Kiarostami.

Have a cup of tea and relax during your viewing. Low expectations may benefit this film experience. 

Gary W. Tooze

 

 



DVD Menus

 

(Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. BFI Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)


 


Screen Captures

 

(Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. BFI Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. BFI Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

Combing visible on the Kino...

 

 


(Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. BFI Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 


 

(Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. BFI Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

NOTE: Not exact frame...

 

 


Report Card:

 

Image:

BFI

Sound:

-

Extras:

BFI

Menu:

BFI

 

DVD Box Cover

Distribution Kino Video - Region 1 - NTSC BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL




 

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