DVD Reviews

Eclipse Series 11: Larisa Shepitko Wings/Krylya (1966) Russia Director Larisa Shepitko Screenplay Valentin Yezhov, Natalya Ryazantseva Producer V. Maslov Director of Photography Igor Slabnevich Editor L. Lynsenkova Art Director Ivan Plastinkin Costumes A. Dokuchayeva With Maya Bulgakova (Nadezhda Petrukhina), Zhanna Bolotova (Tanya), Pantelemion Krymov (Pavel Gavrilovich), Leonid Dyachkov (Mitya Grachov), Vladimir Gorelov (Igor), Yuri Medvedev (Boris Grigoryevich), Nikolai Grabbe (Kostya Shuvalov), Zhanna Alexandrova (Zinka), Sergei Nikonenko (Sergei Bystryakov), Rimma Nikitina-Markova (Shura), Arkadi Trusov (Morosov), Olga Gobzeva (Journalist) Runtime 85 minutes DVD USA, 2008 Produced and Distributed by Eclipse from The Criterion Collection (Region 1) Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Sound Mix Monaural Extras Taking Off, a onepage essay by Michael Koresky on Shepitko's life and work until the release of Wings.

The Ascent/Voskhozhdeniye (1977) Russia Director Larisa Shepitko Screenplay Yuri Klepikov, Larisa Shepitko Original Story Sotnikov by Vasili Bykov Producer Larisa Shepitko Director of Photography Vladimir Chukhnov Art Director Yuri Raksha Editor V. Belova With Boris Plotnikov (Sotnikov), Vladimir Gostyukhin (Rybak), Sergei Yakovlev (Village Elder), Lyudmila Polyakova (Demchika), Victoria Goldentul (Basya), Anatoli Solonitsyn (Portnov), Nikolai Sektimenko (Stas'), Maria Vinogradova (Village Elder's wife) Runtime 109 minutes DVD USA, 2008 Produced and Distributed by Eclipse for The Criterion Collection (Region 1) Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Sound Mix Monaural Extras Ever Greater Heights, a one-page essay by Michael Koresky on Shepitko's life and work from 1967 to her death in 1979.

Science is Fiction: The Films of Jean Painlev (192778) France Director/Producer Jean Painlev Titles 11 films (1927-78), including Acera, or The Witches' Dance/Acra ou Le Bal des sorcires, The Love Life of the Octopus/Les Amours de la pieuvre, How Some Jelly Fish Are Born/Comment naissent des mduses, Liquid Crystals/Cristaux liquids, The Sea Horse/L'Hippocampe, Shrimp Stories/Histoires de crevettes, Hyas and Stenorhynchus/Hyas et stnorinques, Methuselah/Mathusalem, Sea Urchins/Oursins, The Vampire/Le Vampire, Blue Beard/Barbe bleueDVD UK, 2007 (Region 2) Distribution British Film Institute Runtime 315 minutes Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Sound Mix Mono 1.0 Extras Filmed introduction by Dr Michal Abecassis. Three short films: The Birth of a Flower (1910) and The Strength and Agility of Insects (1911) by Percy Smith, and Colour on the Thames (1935) by Adrian Klein. Alternative score The Sounds of Science by Yo La Tengo. Essays and film notes by Brigitte Berg, Jim Knox, William Moritz and Mark Norris in a 31-page book.

Michael Pilz: Facts for Fiction/Was bersetzt ist noch nicht angekommen/Parco delle rimembranze (198796) Austria Director/Producer/Camera/Editor Michael Pilz With Jeff Perkins and Vanessa van Houten DVD Austria, 2007 (Region 0) Distribution Index Runtime 83 minutes Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Sound Mix Mono 1.0 Extras An interview with the film-maker and an essay by Christa Blmlinger featured in an 18-page book in German and English.

La Gueule ouverte/The Mouth Agape (1974) France Director Maurice Pialat Screenplay Maurice Pialat Cinematography Nestor Almendros Editing Arlette Langmann With Hubert Deschamps (Roger, le pre), Monique Mlinand (Monique, la mre), Philippe Lotard (Philippe, le fils), Nathalie Baye (Nathalie, la fille) Runtime 82 minutes DVD UK, 2009 Produced and Distributed by Eureka Entertainment (Region 2) Aspect Ratio 1.37:1 Anamorphic Sound Mix Mono Extras New and improved English subtitle translations. Three early short films by Maurice Pialat: Drles de bobines/Funny Reels (1957), 17 minutes; L'Ombre familire/The Familiar Shadow (1958), 24 minutes; Janine (1961), 17 minutes. The six short essay-documentaries made in 1964 by Maurice Pialat in, and about, Turkey: Bosphore/Bosporus, 14 minutes; Byzance/Byzantium, 12 minutes; La Corne d'or/The Golden Horn, 12 minutes; Istanbul, 13 minutes; Matre Galip/Master Galip, 11 minutes; Pehlivan, 12 minutes. A 12-minute 2004 interview with Pialat's ex-wife and frequent collaborator, Micheline Pialat, conducted by former Cahiers du Cinma editor-in-chief and current director of the Cinmathque Franaise, Serge Toubiana. An 8-minute 2004 interview with actress Nathalie Baye. Eleven minutes of footage from the shoot of La Gueule ouverte, featuring commentary recorded in 2005 by actor Jean-Franois Balmer. A 16-minute 2004 interview with cinematographer Willy Kurant discussing his work with Pialat on the Turkish short films. A 14-minute 1987 interview with Pialat about the Cinmathque Franaise's role in his film education. A 10-minute excerpt from a 2002 masterclass with Pialat, discussing the film Matre Galip. Original theatrical trailer for La Gueule ouverte, along with trailers for the six other Maurice Pialat films released by The Masters of Cinema Series. A new essay by critic Adrian Martin, and newly translated interviews with Maurice Pialat contained in a 32-page booklet.

Syndromes and a Century/Sang sattawat (2006) Thailand/France/Austria Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul Screenplay Apichatpong Weerasethakul Producer Charles de Meaux, Apichatpong Weerasethakul Cinematography Sayombhu Mukdeeprom Film Editing Lee Chatametikool With Nu Nimsomboon (Dr Toa), Jaruchai Iamaram (Dr Nohng), Nantarat Sawaddikul (Dr Toey), Sakda Kaewbuadee (Sakda) Runtime 105 minutes DVD 2008, UK Produced and Distributed by BFI Aspect Ratio 1.66:1 Sound Mix Dolby Digital Stereo (320kbs) Extras Interview with Director. Worldly Desires: An Experimental Love Story (Weerasethakul, 2005, 40 minutes). Original trailer. Illustrated booklet with production stills.

Ballets Russes (2005) United States Directors Dan Gellar and Dayna Goldfine Written by Dan Gellar, Dayna Goldfine, Celeste Schaefer Snyder and Gary Weimberg Produced by Dayna Goldfine, Dan Gellar, Robert Hawk and Douglas Blair Turnbaugh Narrated by Marian Seldes Original Music by Todd Boekelheide and David Conte Runtime 118 minutes DVD USA, 2006 Produced and Distributed by Zeitgeist Films (Region 1 NTSC) Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Stereo Surround Extras Gorgeous 16:9 anamorphic transfer, enhanced for widescreen TVs. An hour-long, four-part series of additional behind-the-scenes, performance, rehearsal and interview footage with Ballets Russes dancers. Rare archival footage, including excerpts of classic Ballets Russes performances of Swan Lake, Giselle and others. Stills galleries featuring 200 photos of Ballets Russes stars, additional Ballets Russes dancers and vintage Ballets Russes programme covers. Original theatrical trailer. Ballets Russes Easter egg. English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired. A 12-page booklet including liner notes by New York Times dance writer Jack Anderson and production notes by the film-makers.