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 S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Tenderness")

 

Directed by Martin Sulík
Czechoslovakia 1991

 

Slovak filmmaker Martin Sulík's striking debut feature is a rich and complex coming-of-age story set against a background of political upheaval and a country in the throws of transformation and revolution.

Simon, a young student, is drawn into a relationship with an older couple, Maria and Viktor, the dynamics of which veer between passion and cruelty. Simon finds himself caught in a love/hate triangle he does not fully comprehend, the key to which is linked to the dark secrets of their past.

Analysing human relations in the early years of post-communism, Tenderness presents a world still profoundly affected by the moral corruption characteristic of the years of following the Soviet invasion of 1968.  

Posters

Theatrical Release: 1991 (Bratislava)

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Review: Second Run - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:
Distribution Second Run - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:48:27.250        
Video

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 41,307,176,661 bytes

Feature: 27,574,401,024 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.73 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

LPCM Audio Slovak 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Second Run

 

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 41,307,176,661 bytes

Feature: 27,574,401,024 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.73 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• On Tenderness (2020) - a new documentary on the film and its legacy (26:13)
• Hurá (1989) - Martin Sulík's acclaimed short film (27:55)
• Booklet featuring new writing on the film by author Peter Hames


 Blu-ray Release Date: August 10th, 2020
 Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Second Run Blu-ray (August 2020): Second Run have transferred Martin Sulík's Tenderness (Neha) to Blu-ray. It is cited as being "presented from the new 2K restoration of the film from original materials supervised by the Slovak Film Institute and approved by the director". The 1080P looks quite strong. There may be a shade of yellow but the image quality is clean and crisp with no digitization. Close-up are remarkable with their impressive detail. Black levels are strong, there is depth, the image is bright and I was very pleased with the HD presentation.

On their Blu-ray, Second Run use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Slovak language. It has a score by Vladimír Godár, sounding pensive with contemplative moments - clean and consistent in the uncompressed. Second Run offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Second Run Blu-ray offers a a new, 26-minute, documentary entitled "On Tenderness" on the film and its legacy with interviews with scriptwriter Ondrej Sulaj, composer Vladimír Godár, cinematographer Martin Strba, director/writer Martin Sulík and dramaturgist Zuzana Gindl-Tatarova. It sheds some light on the film's production and importance for Sulík's evolution as a filmmaker. Second Run also include Sulík's acclaimed short film Hurá (Hooray) from 1989. It runs shy of 1/2 hour. The package also has a liner notes booklet featuring new writing on the film by author Peter Hames.

I really liked Martin Sulík's Tenderness (Neha) - excellent world cinema - and found this comment from IMDb encapsulated by feelings "A wonderful dark tale of coming of age in a country in transformation - then Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) in 1990s. Against the backdrop of a regime change and general crisis of basic values, a young man is finding his way into adult life. Playing a part in a love (hate?) triangle he does not fully understand until the conclusion, he desperately tries to make sense of the unpredictable behavior of the other two main characters which is linked to the secrets lurking in their past. All this while he is not sure about his own role in a world where yesterday's truths mean nothing today." It's a film I was very keen to have seen on Second Run's stellar Blu-ray presentation with worthwhile and valued extras as part of their professional package. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze

 

Menus / Extras

 

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Box Cover

CLICK to order from:
Distribution Second Run - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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