Father And Son (DVD)

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The film is bathed in orange and brown tones which sometimes threaten to swallow up both characters and scenery, reducing them to mere splashes of autumnal color. Much of the dialogue is recorded with an eerie echo, seeming to come from somewhere outside and above the characters, even when we see them speaking. Many shots are slightly distorted and shot just a bit off-angle. Background objects often appear unnaturally large and menacing. The net result is that the film feels like a dream, or at least a half-dream. It´s difficult to describe the effect, only to note that is profoundly beautiful. It´s tempting, in fact, to ignore any attempt at narrative or thematic interpretation, and simply let the images and sounds wash over you. Sokurov is far more interested in poetry than in narrative logic.

It´s easy to compare Sokurov to Andrei Tarkovsky, if only for the fact that they´re both Russian filmmakers with a lyrical bent. I think the more apt comparison, in this case, is to Ingmar Bergman. The close quarters, intimate compositions, and the dreamy, stilted dialogue about existential matters bring to mind several scenes from "Cries and Whispers" as well as other Bergman films.

"Father and Son" isn't suited to everyone´s tastes. It moves slowly (but runs at a crisp 83 minutes) and the elliptical images and lack of a coherent narrative may leave some viewers confused or frustrated. If you´re open to the foreign art-house experience, though, I highly recommend it, even if only for its sheer beauty. It´s a mature, insightful, and deeply moving portrait of paternal and filial love. Some critics seemed to consider this a minor Sokurov film (I disagree!) but even minor Sokurov is essential viewing.

VIDEO:

The DVD is presented in 1:85:1 Anamorphic aspect ratio. It is difficult to assess the quality of the video since the color scheme is so skewed and many shots are intentionally distorted. As far as I could tell, the picture looked great, and the transfer was clean and professional. It certainly looks beautiful so I have no complaints about the picture quality.

AUDIO:

The DVD is presented in Dolby Surround and Dolby 5.1 Digital Audio. I don´t speak Russian but, to my ear, the dialogue sounded clear, as did the music track. Optional English language subtitles support the audio.

EXTRAS:

The DVD only offers a few minor extras, including two Sokurov trailers and a photo gallery which offers little of interest. There´s also a promotional offer for a ten percent discount at an online DVD store.

The liner notes include an essay by the always engaging Armond White, a critic never shy about sharing his often radical opinion on any film. White´s essay is persuasive and informative, though he seems to enjoy comparing Sokurov to virtually every other director he can think of, including Tarkovksy, Dreyer, Eisenstein, Murnau, Fassbinder, and Bergman. What, no room for Michael Bay?

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

I managed to write the entire review without once referring to "Russian Ark," Sokurov´s previous film, and one of the masterpieces of the young millennium. Unlike the intimate "Father and Son," it is a triumph of technical virtuosity featuring a cast of thousands. In case you don´t know the story, "Russian Ark" was a ninety-minute feature filmed entirely in a single, unbroken shot. In that shot, the camera travels through over thirty rooms of the Hermitage Museum (cameraman Tilman Buttner walked over a mile during the shot) and the movie spans several hundred years of Russian history. All in one shot!

If you haven´t seen "Russian Ark" yet, please do yourself a favor and check out one of the most remarkable accomplishments in cinema history. Like "Father and Son," it is available on DVD from Wellspring.

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