Eric Cotenas

Film Movement

Region 1 - NTSC

Region 'A' - Blu-ray

2.40:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.31 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.40:1

Edition Details:
� Bonus short film 'Sea Child' (Minha Kim, 16:9; 7:32)
� Previews

DVD Release Date: August 2nd, 2016
Amaray

Chapters 12

Edition Details:
• Visual Effects REEL (2:02)
• All About Bong - an Interview with Jean Noh (10:33)

Blu-ray Release Date: March 26th, 2018
Standard Blu-ray Case inside cardboard slipcase

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

ADDITION: Film Movement Blu-ray (September 2025): Film Movement has transferred Sung-bo Shim's "Sea Fog" to Blu-ray. Despite only being singl;e-layered and with a less-robust transfer than the, 7-year-olderr, 88 Films - the image quality is only negligibly weaker. I'd say that disparity might only be noticed dependant on the system viewed on. The 1080P delivers solid detail, natural color saturation, and effective contrast that enhances the moody, fog-shrouded maritime visuals. Overall, the presentation faithfully captures cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo's atmospheric work, providing a clear upgrade from standard definition formats.

NOTE: We have added 36 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

Film Movement Blu-ray offers the option of linear PCM stereo or Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround - both in the original Korean language. These are in 24-bit. The surround mix excels in immersing viewers with directional effects like crashing waves, creaking ship hulls, and the tense score by Jung Jae-il (Okja, Parasite,) offering clear dialogue separation and a dynamic range that amplifies the film's suspenseful moments without distortion. While some international releases opt for DTS-HD Master audio, this setup provides a balanced and engaging auditory experience that complements the narrative's escalating chaos. Film Movement offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The supplemental materials on the Film Movement Blu-ray are modest with a 6 minute collection of cast and crew interviews that offer insights into the challenges of filming at sea and adapting the stage play, featuring perspectives from director Shim Sung-bo, producer Bong Joon-ho, and stars like Kim Yoon-seok and Park Yoo-chun. A brief making-of featurette highlights key production aspects, including location shooting and visual effects, while the theatrical trailer rounds out the on-disc content. Enhancing the package is a 16-page booklet containing an essay by Brian Tallerico, managing editor of RogerEbert.com, which provides thoughtful analysis on the film's themes of desperation and moral ambiguity, making these extras a worthwhile addition for fans seeking context beyond the feature.

Sea Fog is an effective 2014 South Korean crime thriller, marking the directorial debut of Shim Sung-bo, who co-wrote the screenplay with acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, the latter also serving as producer. Adapted from a 2007 stage play of the same name by Kim Min-jeong, the film draws from a harrowing real-life incident in 2001 involving the Taechangho fishing vessel, where 25 Korean-Chinese illegal immigrants suffocated in a storage tank and their bodies were discarded at sea southwest of Yeosu. At its core, Sea Fog is a meditation on desperation as a catalyst for moral disintegration, portraying how ordinary individuals, pushed by economic and personal crises, descend into criminality and savagery. Film Movement's Blu-ray edition of Sea Fog delivers a reliable home video package for this gripping South Korean thriller, with a serviceable video transfer and strong audio tracks that effectively convey its tense, seafaring drama. The modest but informative extras, particularly the interviews and Tallerico's essay in the booklet, add meaningful value. While not groundbreaking in terms of technical prowess or bonus content volume, this Blu-ray release stands as a solid option for introducing or revisiting the film in high definition, appealing to enthusiasts of Bong Joon-ho's oeuvre and maritime suspense tales.

***

The 88 Films Blu-ray looks great o a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Shot with the Arri Alexa this looks very impressive in 1080P resolution. The improved detail and contrast are evident in the captures below. This is in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and the widescreen is sweet in HD - slightly brighter than the SD and looking excellent in-motion. I was surprised how good this film looked on my system - plenty of 'impressive' visuals.

88 Films give the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (16-bit) or a linear PCM stereo (24-bit) - both in the original Korean. There are plenty of sea-faring effects and some deft separations that add some nice atmosphere to the film presentation. The stereo exports some depth as well. Sea Fog has some orchestral music from The City of Prague Philharmonic and it works well sounding subtle but notable in the lossless. There are optional English subtitles available on the Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras include an un-described 'Visual Effects' reel with split-screen sequences running a scant 2-minutes plus a 10-minute piece entitled All About Bong - an interview with Jean Noh who is the deputy Asia editor and Korea correspondent for Screen International. She shares some interesting information on co-screenwriter of Sea Fog, producer/director Joon Ho Bong (Mother, Snowpiercer, Memories of Murder.)

Plenty of atmosphere here... it has a creepy intensity and covers many themes from guilt, survival-ism, infatuation, illegalities and had a political inclination as well. I really liked it and loved my Blu-ray viewing. Recommended!

***

Film Movement

Region 1 - NTSC

Region 'A' - Blu-ray