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Details
This special limited edition slipcover (designed by Steak Mtn) is limited to 1,000units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of independent film. Its unique distribution model makes independent films available to a national audience by releasing them in theaters as well as on VOD. Partnered with OCN Distribution, IFC will release new titles on home video and revisit past favorites in brand new editions, with many making their HD physical media debuts.
Based on the acclaimed Jerzy Kozinski novel, THE PAINTED BIRD is a meticulous 35mm black and white evocation of wild, primitive Eastern Europe at the bloody close of World War II.
The film follows the journey of The Boy, entrusted by his persecuted parents to an elderly foster mother. The old woman soon dies and the Boy is on his own, wandering through the country-side, from village to farmhouse. As he struggles for survival, The Boy suffers through extraordinary brutality meted out by the ignorant, superstitious peasants and he witnesses the terrifying violence of the efficient, ruthless soldiers, both Russian and German.
When the war ends, The Boy has been changed, forever.
directed by: Václav Marhoul starring: Petr Kotlár, Nina Šunevič, Alla Sokolova, Udo Kier 2019 / 169 min (combined) / 2.39:1 / Czech, German, Russian, Latin DTS-HD MA 5.1
Additional info:
2-Disc Region A Blu-ray
11 Colours of the Bird feature-length making-of documentary
New audio commentary with writer and researcher Jonathan Owen
New video interview with director Václav Marhul by Alci Rengifo and Sebastian Carrasco of the Breaking the 180 podcast
The Painted Bird: A Video Essay by filmmaker Salvador Carrasco
Booklet featuring new writing by film critic and programmer Anton Bitel
English subtitles
Overall rating: 4.785714 / 5 from 28 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
The Painted Bird is a meticulously crafted limited edition slipcover featuring a 35mm black and white film that has received appreciation for its cinematography and film quality. It includes substantial extras such as a making-of documentary, new audio commentary, and a video interview with the director. Viewer feedback on the film's watchability is mixed, with some finding it difficult to watch due to its intense content.
Summary topics
Additional Content (20%): A significant number of customers remarked that the extras included in this release were substantial and interesting.
Cinematography (30%): Many customers remarked that the cinematography of the film is astounding and adds mood and effect to the story.
Film Quality (30%): Many customers expressed appreciation for the film, describing it as great, fantastic, and excellent.
Watchability (15%): The feedback is varied, some find it incredibly difficult to watch, while others consider it an incredible watch.
"Its stark black-and-white cinematography and deliberate pacing create a harrowing, almost hypnotic atmosphere." — Jeffrey W.
"Won’t be to everyone’s taste but this is an excellent release with some substantial and interesting extras." — Michael A.
"The other extras are equally engaging, and do help make some sense of how the whole entity is purposed." — Donald M.
Reviews
Poetry
"Amazing cinematography, amazing storytelling, slipcover and booklet great additions"
— Valentins S. (5/5)
Very Nice
"The slipcover is awesome, as always with anything VS or their awesome partner Labels release! It is a cool movie that was a lot of fun to watch! I always love the unique VS service of allowing you to stack as many movies as you like in your cart during any release period and ship them for free! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
— Paul K. (5/5)
Haunting
"Very striking cover and bold spine choice having it wrap around the cover in such a way. The film is stunning in its black and white photography. Which provides a serious clash when showing some of the most horrific images ever put to screen. Which is quite the testament they managed. Very interesting to see how they made it. That kid is a fantastic actor."
— Logan S. (5/5)
For fans of the book
"Interesting watch if you've read the book"
— Sarah H. (4/5)
All star cast. Great presentation.
"All star cast. Great presentation."
— Jon W. (5/5)
Worse Than Hell
"Worth owning if only because you can imagine it being banned or someday unavailable."
— Ryan B. (5/5)
Excellent
"This is draining and tough a tough watch at times, but an excellent film."
— Frank M. (5/5)
Amazing!
"Tough to watch but mandatory. Great edition."
— Joao J. (5/5)
Great Companion to the novel
"A masterpiece of film making. Beautiful cinematography highlighting a boys hellish journey from village to village during the war. This is a perfect compliment to one of the best novels ever written by Jerzy Kosinski. The book and movie are great companions. I re-read it during pauses in the movie and got so much more. The author describes things in a way that the movie cant fully express and the movie captures so much the book couldn't fully express. While alive the author refused to sell the rights to anyone BUT Fellini or Bunel. Learned this in the extras which were best extras I've seen in awhile. There is actually a whole movie narrated by the director and main actor showing the making of this film. The brutality of this film is hard to watch on its own. . . . just like hard liquor this is best chased with the actual book and the extras. A very intense unforgettable experience."
— david t. (5/5)
Harrowing movie - but a truly incredible watch
"Relentless in its miserablism, and the animal scenes are harrowing. Over and over again, man’s inhumanity toward fellow man - child, here - is overwhelmingly saddening. It’s beautifully photographed, truly incredible black-and-white cinematography!, and the use of silence and non-verbal acting is very effective. It’s an incredibly difficult watch, it’s heartbreaking and tragic over and over again, to a point where it borders on feel-bad-p*rn, but to view it that way is to surrender to the fatigue of it all. || The “making of” documentary is a fascinating watch, so much went into this film being made, that it almost seems unfair to criticize any aspect of it (that’s not to say it’s immune to being criticized). The other extras are equally engaging, and do help make some sense of how the whole entity is purposed. The slipcase, insert artwork, and especially the booklet make this an inspiring purchase, well done, very well done, all ways round."
— Donald M. (5/5)
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