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

ADDITION: Altered Innocence Blu-ray (July 2021): Altered Innocence (via Vinegar Syndrome) have released Fabrice du Welz’s Adoration on Blu-ray. The dual-layered Region 'Free' Blu-ray disc features a maxed-out bitrate throughout the feature's running time. The 2.38:1 1080P image benefits greatly from this hefty bitrate, as does the film's beautiful 16mm photography (thanks to Manuel Dacosse). Some naturally-lit scenes can have the sunny skies looking overexposed, not that this is concerning as this is surely a stylistic choice and a common occurrence when using 16mm film. The forest's lush greenery and the shimmering rivers and lakes showcase a wild assortment of browns, yellows and greens, always maintaining natural earthy tones. Skin tones also skew toward the natural palette, and the 16mm shots also hold their own during the film's multiple darker nighttime sequences, thanks to a rather robust contrast (for 16mm). A fine transfer for Altered Innocence’s Blu-ray of Adoration.

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The Altered Innocence Blu-ray of Fabrice du Welz’s Adoration features one audio track; a 24-bit DTS-HD Master audio in French & Dutch. Given that Adoration is mainly a journey throughout rivers and forests, the 5.1 surround channel separation succeeds in creating a realistic ambiance. The film's music is thanks to composer and du Welz mainstay, Vincent Cahay. There are optional English and Spanish subtitles on this Region 'Free' Blu-ray from Altered Innocence.

Altered Innocence includes a 34-minute interview with Director Fabrice du Welz. The director proves to be quite elegant and thoughtful when articulating his desires for the film. Whether discussing the film's main boy character as a bit of a Dostoevskyian 'idiot' of sorts, or how he desired to make a film at a specific moment just before puberty where love (or adoration) is pure and untainted by one's own sexuality, du Welz proves to be a director of great intelligence and comprehension. Also on this Blu-ray is a 6-minute deleted scene involving a wedding party. Altered Innocence also includes the film's U.S. trailer and trailers for 4 other films. This rounds out the extras for this Region 'Free' Blu-ray disc from Altered Innocence.

Adoration is said to be the completion of Fabrice du Welz’s Ardennes trilogy (Calvaire, Alleluia). The film lacks the previous two films' fascination with violence, offering up a simpler storyline loaded with symbolism and ambiguity. Altered Innocence's Blu-ray contains a vivid digital transfer of the 16mm film, with a lovely interview with the director as an added bonus. Worth checking out for both fans of du Welz and newcomers alike.

Colin Zavitz