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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Young Ahmed")

 

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/dardenne.htm
France Belgium 2019

 

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival for this brave new work, another intimate portrayal, in furious motion, of a protagonist in crisis. The filmmakers’ radical empathy alights on a Muslim teenager (extraordinary first-time actor Idir Ben Addi) in a small Belgian town who has been radicalized by his Imam despite the desperate protestations of his single mother (Claire Bodson), and who winds up hatching a murderous plot targeting his beloved teacher (Myriem Akheddiou). Taking a serious view of a difficult issue—the effect of fanaticism on the body and soul—the Dardennes here remind viewers why they continue to be at the center of 21st-century cinema. – New York Film Festival.

***

For sheer consistency of both artistic vision and high-quality output, perhaps no current European filmmaker except Pedro Almodovar can match the sustained brilliance of Belgium’s Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Since first gaining critical attention with 1996’s “La Promesse,” the brothers have made nine features that have kept them in the top tier of international festivals, including Cannes, where they are regular prize-winners.

Their latest, “Young Ahmed,” which won the Best Director trophy at the last Cannes, is consistent with their past work yet also something of a departure. Like all of their films, it takes place in present-day Belgium and deals with characters on the margins of society; like previous Dardenne masterpieces including “La Promesse,” “The Son” and “The Kid with a Bike,” it has an adolescent protagonist. The film’s difference lies in the fact that this protagonist, 13-year-old Ahmed (Idir Ben Addi), is a Muslim and an aspiring terrorist.

Excerpt from RogerEbert.com located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 20th, 2019 (Cannes Film Festival)

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Review: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:

Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:24:29.105        
Video

1.85:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,390,328,383 bytes

Feature: 20,839,329,792 bytes

Video Bitrate: 25.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio French 2981 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2981 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio French 1963 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1963 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

1.85:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,390,328,383 bytes

Feature: 20,839,329,792 bytes

Video Bitrate: 25.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Interview with directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (14:44)
• Theatrical trailer (1:35)


Blu-ray Release Date:
June 16th, 2020
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 11

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (June 2020): Kino have transferred the Dardenne Brothers' Young Ahmed to Blu-ray. The shorter film (1-hour 24-minutes) is housed on a single-layered disc with a supportive bitrate. It looks as pristine as you could imagine for a modern production. There may be a touch of teal but otherwise a clean, consistent and crisp 1080P presentation. No complaints.

NOTE: We have added 64 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino offer DTS-HD Master tracks in both 5.1 surround or 2.0 channel stereo (both 24-bit) in the original French language - with some Arabic. Typical of the Dardenne's work - there are no aggressive effects. Staying vérité there is no real score. Some may identify Delay performed by Intergalactic Lovers and the film closing to Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat, D.960: 2. Andante sostenuto (performed by Alfred Brendel.) The lossless supports the films requirements with plenty to spare. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

NOTE: Subtitles don't translate Arabic prayer - although do translate non-prayer Arabic speech and they do translate prayer when said in French. Text (written letter) is also translated with optional English subtitles.

The Kino Blu-ray includes a 1/4 hour interview with directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne explaining the evolution of the film, their intent, the research and a bit about the production. It is in French with non-removable English subtitles. There is also an HD trailer.

It has been a while since I said this, but the Dardenne Brothers are in a group of my favorite living filmmakers. I have a few things to say about Young Ahmed. It has the director brothers' measured pace - advancing the story with subtle actions - often to be revealed as important later. This keeps you attentive and thinking. It has a strong realism facet and once again, deals with morality issues of adolescent teenagers. I wouldn't put Young Ahmed in the category of my favorite of their films - The Unknown Girl (2016) The Silence of Lorna (2008), Rosetta (1999) - still in my TOP 10 films of all time, and La Promesse (1996) - because I felt it was somewhat hampered by one aspect (I won't reveal 'spoilers'). Up until that point I was riveted - unsure of the direction the protagonist was leaning as the film wound down. Even though I know their very Bresson-ian style, I was still anxious - really not wanting the film to end. Their brand of simple, pure, cinema works like a charm on this reviewer every time. The Kino Blu-ray allows you to see Young Ahmed if you couldn't make Cannes last year or missed a film festival run. The brothers' interview also have value as a supplement. I don't see any storytelling like this in cinema. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze

 


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Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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