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 S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Istiyad Ashbah")

 

Directed by Raed Andoni
Palestine | France | Switzerland | Qatar | Italy 2017

 

Raed Andoni's highly original and harrowing documentary feature won the Silver Bear for 'Best Documentary' at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival.

Recreating the infamous Al-Moskobiya prison, Israel's main interrogation centre, where he was himself jailed at age 18, Andoni gathers together of fellow survivors to recreate and confront their own experiences of incarceration and torture.

A powerful hybrid of documentary, fiction and experimental art film interspersed with lyrical and beautifully rendered animated sequences, Ghost Hunting is a unique and uncompromising work. The film also gives us space to reflect on the ethics and meaning of the re-enactment unfolding before us, and to question the complicity of both the filmmaker and the viewer themselves.

***

A set-up for an experiment in an empty room. Former inmates reconstruct an Israeli secret service interrogation centre. These Palestinian men use role play to come to terms with their memories and the humiliation they have experienced.

Posters

Theatrical Release: February 12th, 2017 (Berlin International Film Festival)

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Review: Second Run - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:
Distribution Second Run - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:37:30.375        
Video

1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 32,600,785,202 bytes

Feature: 30,333,413,376 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.96 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 Arabic 2009 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2009 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
LPCM Audio Arabic 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Second Run

 

1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 32,600,785,202 bytes

Feature: 30,333,413,376 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• An interview with director Raed Andoni filmed at the 2017 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (6:18)
• Booklet featuring new writing on the film by writer, curator and producer Gareth Evans


 Blu-ray Release Date: September 28th, 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 (October 2020): Second Run have transferred Raed Andoni's Ghost Hunting to Blu-ray. It is described as "presented from a brand new HD master of the film". It is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio - on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. It looks as clean and crisp as modern HD-shot productions can be - tight, rich colors, plenty of depth.

On their Blu-ray, Second Run offer the option of DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround (16-bit) or linear PCM stereo track (24-bit) both in the original Arabic language. There is some separation in the construction sequences but both tracks handle the dialogue and extraneous sounds with ease. Second Run offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Second Run Blu-ray offer a 6-minute interview with director Raed Andoni filmed at the 2017 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam where he expands upon details of the evolution of the film. The package also has a booklet featuring new writing on the film by writer, curator and producer Gareth Evans.

Raed Andoni's Ghost Hunting creates a therapeutic backdrop for ex-prisoners of the Moscovia Israeli Detention Centre as they build a replica of the surroundings when they were incarcerated and interrogated there... while simultaneously working through their personal demons. I liked the artistic, animation touches. The film, as whole, was fascinating, if leaving a hollow empty feeling at the conclusion. I was very glad I have seen it - especially through Second Run's Blu-ray. I think this is worth a viewing for the highly interesting filmmaking - if not, so much, the subject matter.

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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