Product Description Presented from new HD materials, Second Run presents a special Blu-ray edition of one of its most enduringly popular titles Ivan Passer s Intimate Lighting. This wonderfully subtle comedy of provincial life is the debut film of a great director and one of the signature works of the Czech New Wave. Ivan Passer s film concerns the dreams of two musician friends, one of whom, having left their small hometown to become successful, returns to visit the other who stayed behind to become a local music teacher. Focussing on the humour of the ordinary and routine and stunningly shot by Miroslav Ondrícek (A Blonde in Love, Amadeus), the film shows true affection and understanding for all its characters to become that very rare thing in comedy a work of great originality and universal acceptance. One of the most important films of the Czech New Wave, and which was ranked among the top ten domestic films of all time, Intimate Lighting is a beautifully observed drama of the everyday. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS Intimate Lighting (Intimní osv tlení, 1965) presented from a new HD transfer from original materials by the Czech National Film Archive. Filmed interview with director Ivan Passer. Ivan Passer s short film A Boring Afternoon (Fádní odpoledne, 1964) presented from a new HD transfer from original materials by the Czech National Film Archive. Booklet featuring new writing on the film by Trevor Johnston, and an essay by critic Philp Bergson. New and improved English subtitle translation. Region free Original soundtrack in Dual Mono 24-bit LPCM audio World Premiere on Blu-ray ...AND MORE Review [One] of the ten films which have most affected me --Krzysztof KieslowskiIt loses none of its charm, to age or to repeated viewing. It is one of those very special movies that does not so much reveal new secrets each time you see it as confirm a justness and good humour that was never hidden --New York TimesA moving, sympathetically directed study of belonging, place and the pleasures of friendship... Wistful, gently comic and affecting --Time Out
D**O
Another Eastern Europe (and Second Run) triumph
An extremely subtle portrayal of rural life in clash with the urban elite thinking, the film very admirably manage to maintain a balance between sensitivity, comicality and surrealism -- as many eastern European projects are known to. In merely 70 minutes, the film efficiently dwells deep into various characters' inner worlds via gestures, words and expressions, exposing regrets, longings, happiness and resilience. It's such a myriad world that everyone will find something they can identify with. A great package of finely restored film, quality subtitles, valuable special features and useful booklet.It might sound cheesy, but I wonder, being a foreigner in a country with virtually no art house market at all, what I should do without Second Run. Its persistent focus on Eastern Europe old classics (not only that, of course) is a treasure for arthouse film lovers. It's good to have some of them always at your side and ready for another viewing any time.
G**E
You will be amazed at this original work....
Superb award winning film on small budget. You won't fail to be moved. Main character is unknown amateur who himself has a real life secret....watch and read more behind the scenes chat. Brilliant stuff.
R**A
Masterpiece!
Delightful film - the director seamlessly blends together so many different tones.Masterpiece of the Czech New Wave - probably my favourite film from this movement.Great release from Second Run. Excellent picture quality. Highly recommended.
H**J
Czech New Wave Gem
Taking his young city girlfriend along for the trip, a man visits old musical friends in a country village for a string quartet rehearsal.This 1965 film has a number of connections with Milos Foreman's early docu-drama Rehearsal/Audition (also just released on DVD), but Intimate Lighting is a much more fully realized film. It's one of those quirky classics of the Czech New Wave: lots of understated humour & pathos & little surrealist touches or observations. It's beautifully conceived and realized; great cinematography & editing, making for a very quick-witted film (as opposed to merely comic) and having the uncontrived bittersweet quality that the best East European film, particularly Czech, had in the 1960s and which you rarely find elsewhere. Excellent DVD edition from Second Run (watch out Masters of Cinema!), including interview with director and an informative booklet. After finding out the background info concerning the main actor I realized the film was even more poignant, almost unbearably so. One other recommendation: this was one of Kieslowski's ten favourite films!
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