This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Elizabeth Yoo) was limited to 500 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
Founded in 2013, Big World Pictures is a non-profit distribution outfit dedicated to bringing the best in world cinema to film enthusiasts across the United States. Previous releases include films by Radu Jude, Tamer El Said, Maya Vitkova, Jean-Gabriel Périot, Julia Murat, Tsai Ming-liang and Eric Rohmer. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!
During the summer of 1937, Emanuel, a young man in his early twenties, is committed to a sanatorium on the Black Sea coast for treatment of his bone tuberculosis. The treatment consists of painful spine punctures that confine him to a body cast on a stretcher-bed. Little by little, as Emanuel gets accustomed to the limitations of his new life, he discovers that inside the sanatorium there is still a life to be lived to the fullest. He reads, he writes, he smokes and drinks, interacts with doctors, nurses and stretcher-bearers. He observes how healing seems to happen transiently, following mysterious laws: some patients get better, some worse, others die. He even has a romantic relationship, while Romania outside the sanatorium doesn‘t have much to offer him, turning more and more into an extreme right-wing society...
In 1981, chalk slogans written in uppercase letters started appearing in public spaces in the Romanian city of Botoşani. They demanded freedom, alluded to the democratic developments taking place in Romania’s socialist sister countries or simply called for improvements in the food supply. The culprit was Mugur Călinescu, a teenager who was still at school at the time and whose case is documented in the files of the Romanian secret police. Theatre director Gianina Cărbunariu created a documentary play based on this material.
directed by: Radu Jude
starring: Lucian Teodor Rus; Ivana Mladenovic; Şerban Pavlu / Şerban Lazarovici; Bogdan Zamfir; Ioana Iacob; Şerban Pavlu
2016, 2020 / 309 min (combined) / 1.85:1, 1.33:1 / Romanian, German DTS-HD MA 5.1, 2.0
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.590909 / 5 from 22 reviews.
Review topics: ["looks","features","release","film","filmmakers","life","humor"].
"This two-film release offers a highly analytical perspective on Romanian history. The meticulous 35mm cinematography of Scarred Hearts looks remarkably authentic to its original source. Furthermore, the disc features insightful supplementary material that properly grounds both narratives."
"Love getting both of these films together. Jude is one of my favourites and happy to have something that looks this good."
"See all of this director's movies. He's the future of the movies."
"I came to RJ from Do not Expect Too Much From the End of the World and I was excited to see that there's so much more to dig into. Neither movie is as strong a statement as that film but they are great pieces of his formation & definitely worth the pick up."
"Radu Jude is one of the most interesting filmmakers today, and this release provides an invaluable look at his innocuous beginnings and the development of his sly, subtle humor. It's great to have both films in this one, wonderfully designed (as usual) piece."
"Radu Jude is one of the most interesting filmmakers working today"
"Nicely staged in its production design and photography capturing its strong performances in what feels like an elaborate stage, but it's all in service of a story that rarely finds traction. It begins to feel like its bed-bound characters as they lay about interminably, wax poetic about philosophy and world relations while going up and down in various degrees of health."
"This is an outstanding release of two great Radu Jude films. The masters and encodes are very nice and the two bonus shorts appealing. I’m glad Big World took a chance here as this is a niche title other labels wouldn’t touch. Highly recommended!"
"I really enjoyed this release. It speaks a lot to what is actually happening in our society outside of the four walls we live in. I feel for the main character, but he’s able to live the best life he can. The special features were great. The website is always easy to navigate as well."
"I’m a big fan of Radu Jude’s work and these are two of his more understated works (well, compared to Loony Porn and Do Not Expect too Much…). Hell of a deal and the slip cover artwork is worth springing for."
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