ADDITION: Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL (Oct 07') - It's clearly a superior disc to the Strand release in every way - native PAL, anamorphic, no combing evident, removable subtitles, Dolby 5.1 sound and significantly better extras. The Aki Kaurismäki interview is a typically laconic joy, while the Maria Järvenhelmi interview provides excellent backup (and is probably a lot more factually accurate!).

Michael Brooke

****

On the Strand: This appears to be distributed by Strand. Anyway, I suppose it doesn't matter - the DVD is disgraceful - single-layered (filling a meager 3.4 Gig), non-removable subs and interlaced (see combing sample in last capture). It is anamorphic and looks acceptable on CRT (tube TV's) of which it is the only suitable system to view it on. On the positive - the colors and contrast and not bad but there is digital noise throughout. The image is quite thin. It is coded for region 0 in the NTSC standard.

NOTE: I bought this - it is the final copy - not a screener. Thanks Strand.

It appears to be fairly clean and both audio (dialogue) and subtitles are acceptable. There are no extras save a trailer and some Strand previews.

The DVD inferiorities don't take away from the film which although one of the lesser Kaurismäki efforts of this 'loser' trilogy (or more?) is still wonderfully amusing. It's just such a shame that the DVD is priced to rape consumers for what it offers in the way of digital production... and this acclaimed director's work is not sufficiently represented for NTSC audiences.

NOTE: For those interested in purchasing the Strand edition we suggest buying from Amazon.ca as it is approx. $5 less expensive at the writing of this review.

Gary W. Tooze