Review by Brian Montgomery
Studio:
Theatrical: arte France Cinema
Blu-ray: Artificial Eye
Disc:
Region: FREE!
(as verified by the
Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)
Runtime: 1:34:55.356
Disc Size: 31,114,377,749 bytes
Feature Size: 25,612,868,928 bytes
Video Bitrate: 27.61 Mbps
Chapters: 16
Case: Standard Blu-ray case
Release date: March 22nd, 2010
Video:
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio French 4300 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4300
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
LPCM Audio French 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps /
24-bit
Subtitles:
None
Extras:
• Interview with Zinedine Zidane (8:31)
• Interview with Directors Douglas Gordan &
Philippe Parreno (31:38)
• Making of Documentary (41:31)
• Cannes Introduction (:22)
• Trailer
• Stills Galllery
• Philippe Parreno Biography
• Douglas Gordan Biography
• Artificial Eye Blu-Ray Trailer Gallery
The Film:
On one level, “Zidane” is a celebration of
the body in motion and an acknowledgment of
our pleasure in watching bodies in motion, a
pleasure the movies have been cultivating
since Muybridge’s 19th-century locomotion
studies. (The history of cinema is, in a
sense, also a history of the modern body.)
The movie’s close-ups demonstrate that
Zidane’s body is more spectacular than most,
though, notably, he spends much of his time
waiting and walking. The game unfolds in
fits and starts, with none of mainstream
narrative’s orchestrated rhythms. For soccer
fans, the game is probably inherently
suspenseful; for the rest of us, suspense
arises from our hope (expectation,
anticipation) that this body will cease
waiting (like us) and starting moving (like
a star).
Excerpt of review from Manohla Dargis
located HERE
Image:
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
Artificial Eye's BD of "Zidane" sports a
very strong transfer, that I fear my caps
may not adequately capture. Since the match
is often highly kinetic, the frozen images
may not do justice to just how sharp and
clear the HD material looks in motion. That
being said, the filmmakers used a variety of
film stock, techniques, and sources for the
various shots. Some of them look very weak
with their imperfections all too apparent in
high definition (see the first capture), but
these are few and far between, with most of
the print looking crystal clear. What's
more, as I previously said this was the
intention of the directors, and the disc
faithfully represents their vision. Finally,
I see no signs of damage or artificial
manipulation on the print. Overall, it's
quite gorgeous.
Audio & Music:
Viewers have the option of choosing between
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0. Having
listened to the former and skimming the
latter, I can say that they both do the film
justice. However, the 5.1 mix is the one
that audiophiles will gravitate to.
Listening to it, Mogwai's soundtrack sounded
very strong with good balance and clarity.
There were no unwanted instances of
background noise discernible in the release.
There aren't really any subtitles here to
speak of, but there are a handful of
messages--quotes from Zidane, I believe,
along with some that describe the worldwide
events from the day that the film was made--
that occasionally scrawl across the screen.
Unfortunately, in a few short instances,
there are white subtitles on a white image,
making them all but impossible to read.
Extras:
Aside from the usual assortment of director
biographies and a trailer reel of other BD
releases from AE, the disc boasts some
interesting special features. First up,
there's a short introduction by Zidane that
played before its premier at Cannes in which
he apologizes for his absence. Next, there's
a long "making of..." documentary in which
we're treated to a behind the scenes look at
how the filmmakers made the film and some
commentary from the participants. Finally,
there are a pair of interviews. The first is
with Zidane and lasts for only about nine
minutes. Here he explains his participation
in the film as well as his love of the
sport. Finally, there's an interview with
co-directors Douglas Gordon and Philippe
Parreno, in which they discuss the making of
the film.
Bottom line:
Although I've never been a soccer--er
sorry--football fan, the sheer grace and
athleticism captured on film is mesmerizing.
Even after watching it and listening to the
director's interview, I'm not really sure
how to classify the film, but to be sure
it's something that once you start, you
can't take your eyes off of it. Highly
recommended, and although there is no region
1/A release of the film, those in North
America can still indulge since this release
is region free.
Brian Montgomery
May 1st, 2010