Ariel Phenomenon (2022) documentary

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Ariel Phenomenon explores the infamous Ariel School UFO sighting witnessed by over sixty schoolchildren in Zimbabwe in 1994. The story covers a former student’s journey back to the African school – the place that, at the age of nine, shattered her reality. Interviews with witnesses, now scattered across the globe, ask the question many have struggled with for over two decades: what happens when you experience something so extraordinary that nobody believes you?

Director: Randall Nickerson
Writer/Editor: Christopher Seward
Producer: Randall Nickerson
Composer: Nate Walcott & Henrik Åström

101 min / 2022 / documentary

“The most effective story told on the subject that I have ever seen.”
– Douglas Trumbull

“Ariel Phenomenon is powerful, life-affirming, and brought me to tears.”
– Josh Boone

“I enjoyed the film greatly. It puts the issue in a touching, emotional place.”
– Dan Aykroyd

“Worth every second of the wait.”
– Ryan Sprague

“[An] amazing, emotional documentary.”
– Dave Foley

“Randall Nickerson’s riveting documentary delivers a soul-wrenching experience.”
– Victor Stiff, Toronto Film Critics Association

“An understated and deeply moving perspective… a potent study of how corrosive to one’s spirit the denial of truth can be.”
– Simon Foster, Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival

“Nickerson’s tenacity has managed to produce a solemn, restrained, and challenging addition to the UFO corpus, one which should rightfully command global audiences. …a film that appears destined to enjoy stellar ratings on the Tomatometer.”
– Billy Cox, Life In Jonestown

“It left me inspired and awestruck, and that’s how I hope it leaves you.”
– Linda Cook, OurQuadCities

More reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

This pre-order for a limited run of 300 BluRays just went live -- "Blu-ray available for preorder, delivery in late Jan 2023": https://arielphenomenon.com/product/blu-ray/

Not sure if this is pressed or BD-R, but since this is an indie film and this disc is from their own website (not licensed to a label) I'd assume a BD-R.

According to the director, Ariel Phenomenon was almost presented on a major streaming service as a ____ Original. That unnamed streamer is said to have spent upwards of $200K to begin to re-edit the documentary, with Angus Wall - another great editor - at the helm. Then, the effort was unexpectedly cancelled. The change in plans by the unnamed streamer left the documentary in major debt.

The original director's cut of Ariel Phenomenon was then released by the filmmaker online as a digital rental in May 2022. And it will be available from the usual digital retailers on Dec 25, 2022.

The director has said he may work on an extended cut, so there's a chance another release will happen in the future. And there's been talk about an extras package as well, which is not present on this initial release.

But I consider it just good luck that this has been released at all.

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Does anyone who bought the BluRay of Ariel Phenomenon have BDinfo or the DVDFab BDinfo Tool? If someone can post the report (the specs) I'll add the disc to the database. Thanks.