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