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Oedipax wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:27 am Because there isn't (at least as far as I can find using the search function) a dedicated Nuri Bilge Ceylan thread in the Filmmakers section, I thought I would add my quick impressions here from the new French blu-ray set that includes everything from Kasaba up through The Wild Pear Tree, out now from Memento Films (region B, optional French subs on everything). The disc with Kasaba also includes his short, Koza (Cocoon), also in a restored HD presentation that looks quite good.

Everything in the set looks spectacular to my eye, with Uzak in particular looking marvelous and heaps better compared to the DVD releases I've seen it on. Excellent grain, color, contrast, detail - a very filmic presentation to be sure, maybe not as 'noise managed' as some distributors would aim for, and there are occasional source flaws (like scratches) that remain, but to me at least are not a distraction.

The only genuine weaknesses I detected were with Climates - either owing to its Sony F900 shooting origins, or more likely I think, the use of a somewhat outdated HD master. There is some unfortunate pixelation and digital harshness on fine detail that is completely absent from all the other titles (whether film or digital in acquisition).

The only other technical flaws to speak of are in The Wild Pear Tree, and are a matter of the shooting format. For some of the lengthy walking/following sequences, Ceylan used a DJI Osmo camera rather than the 6K Red Weapon on which the rest was shot, and the differences are painfully apparent both in the image quality itself (blown out highlights, edge enhancement, excessive motion strobing) as well as the camera movement (alarmingly bumpy and amateurish at times for a feature film, a very poor substitute for a steadicam or even a gimbal system like the Ronin). When the film looks good, however, it looks great - better than I remember it looking theatrically just a few months ago (color in particular seems more rich and vivid on this release without being overdone at all). I don't know if that's a question of a different master for video vs. DCP or just differences in projection vs. my home system (LG OLED) or an imperfect memory.

So in summary, this is a terrific set with only one potentially subpar HD master used. Hopefully there'll soon be an English-friendly equivalent for the non-Francophone world!

Spoiler

Oedipax wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:27 am Because there isn't (at least as far as I can find using the search function) a dedicated Nuri Bilge Ceylan thread in the Filmmakers section...

DarkImbecile wrote: Wed Dec 19, 2018 6:33 pm

Oedipax wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:27 am Because there isn't (at least as far as I can find using the search function) a dedicated Nuri Bilge Ceylan thread in the Filmmakers section...

Now there is! And conveniently, I have a related question: Does anyone know if the HD master for Climates on the French Blu-Ray set is the same as the one currently on Amazon Prime?