Portrait of a Lady on Fire

[bunyboy]

Hi All,

Does anyone have info on how this release compares to the Criterion? I can't find any reviews or details anywhere online as yet...

[Sifox211]

It’s all there in the sticky Artificial Eye thread in this forum... but we could do with a thread of its own for this wonderful film!

[RazorwireRyan]

Apparently it has some extras that aren't on the Criterion, such as an audio commentary with Sciamma, the two leads and I think the cinematographer too? And a near hour long process video of the paintings from the film being created. I was buying the AE release just to show the film to my fiancee asap, but it's very nice to see that it will be worth a double dip for exclusive extras on each.

[Sifox211]

Now I'm at my computer and not on a phone, I'll copy in some of the relevant info:

AE edition features:

• Audio Commentary with director Céline Sciamma, actors Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant, and cinematographer Claire Mathon
• "Paintings by Hélène Delmaire" documentary (55:07)
• Interview from 2019 with artist Hélène Delmaire on creating the paintings for the film (11:51) [same as on Criterion]
• Trailer (1:58)

According to minister_x, the commentary is in French with (optional) English subtitles.

Criterion features:

• New 4K digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• New conversation between director Céline Sciamma and film critic Dana Stevens
• New interviews with actors Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant
• Interview with cinematographer Claire Mathon from the 2019 Cannes Film Festival
• Interview from 2019 with artist Hélène Delmaire on creating the paintings for the film
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Ela Bittencourt

Originally Posted by minister_x

So I've had a scan through "Paintings by Hélène Delmaire" and it's not perhaps what you're expecting by the term 'documentary' - there is no dialogue, only the natural sounds as you are able to watch Delmaire create the paintings (ones in the film? - I'm not certain as I have not yet had the pleasure of watching the film, as I missed it on its theatrical run). The video changes between split-screen and single screen to show the creation of the paintings from scratch. It's fascinating, in my opinion, just letting the creation of the art unfold in front of you, but it's not a documentary on Delmaire - more a documentation of Delmaire at work.

EDIT: Here's a photo of a few seconds in to the opening chapter ("Premier Portrait") to illustrate:

[Show spoiler]

[DanielC]

I'll stick with Criterion on this one. The art is wonderful and I don't care for audio commentary.

[Sifox211]

I'll probably buy the AE but what I really want is a UHD!

[bunyboy]

Thanks all! Extras sound great. Audio commentary is fantastic news!

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

I'll probably buy the AE but what I really want is a UHD!

Someone asked Artificial Eye of Twitter if they'd do a UHD for this & Paraste. They replied that they might possibly do one for the latter but no mention of one for the former.

Pity they're NOT doing a UHD for this considering it was "shot in 7K, using 8K as a reserve to be able to stabilize the image when it became necessary in post production." & definitely needs one much more than Parasite does.

[JoePo]

I imagine the difference is that Parasite won the Oscar for best picture whereas almost no one has heard of Portrait (which I saw at the cinema (remember those?!) And loved) and will sell very few units on blu ray and would sell pretty close to none on UHD.

[_Ewan_]

What’s the encode like on this release?

[Owenjohnston]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

Now I'm at my computer and not on a phone, I'll copy in some of the relevant info:

AE edition features:

• Audio Commentary with director Céline Sciamma, actors Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant, and cinematographer Claire Mathon
• "Paintings by Hélène Delmaire" documentary (55:07)
• Interview from 2019 with artist Hélène Delmaire on creating the paintings for the film (11:51) [same as on Criterion]
• Trailer (1:58)

According to minister_x, the commentary is in French with (optional) English subtitles.

Criterion features:

• New 4K digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• New conversation between director Céline Sciamma and film critic Dana Stevens
• New interviews with actors Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant
• Interview with cinematographer Claire Mathon from the 2019 Cannes Film Festival
• Interview from 2019 with artist Hélène Delmaire on creating the paintings for the film
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Ela Bittencourt

So AE doesn't use the same master as Criterion?

[Sifox211]

Being digitally shot I expect them to be the same. I just picked up all the specs from the Criterion site.

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Someone asked Artificial Eye of Twitter if they'd do a UHD for this & Paraste. They replied that they might possibly do one for the latter but no mention of one for the former.

Pity they're NOT doing a UHD for this considering it was "shot in 7K, using 8K as a reserve to be able to stabilize the image when it became necessary in post production." & definitely needs one much more than Parasite does.

Would have been interesting to see in UHD as its certainly a good looking film but honestly I found it rather slight, not much chemistry between the leads IMHO and on pretty well worn/safe ground politically.

[jackranderson]

Eh, really?

I thought the chemistry between the leads was wonderfully realised and came across as very natural. As for being on safe ground.. I’m not sure I agree with that - there are so many metaphors for female oppression to be found in this film and a couple scenes in particular are quite radical. Overall though, I never found it to be overly preachy and maybe that’s due to just how subtle of a film this is (something that other modern feminist films / shows lack IMO).

As for a lack of 4K, that’s a shame as it’s an incredibly beautiful film but It’s also nowhere near as popular as Parasite so it’s no surprise to me. Both are great films worthy of 4K though, The Lighthouse too. Man 2019 was such a great year for film..

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

Eh, really?

I thought the chemistry between the leads was wonderfully realised and came across as very natural. As for being on safe ground.. I’m not sure I agree with that - there are so many metaphors for female oppression to be found in this film and a couple scenes in particular are quite radical. Overall though, I never found it to be overly preachy and maybe that’s due to just how subtle of a film this is (something that other modern feminist films / shows lack IMO).

As for a lack of 4K, that’s a shame as it’s an incredibly beautiful film but It’s also nowhere near as popular as Parasite so it’s no surprise to me. Both are great films worthy of 4K though, The Lighthouse too. Man 2019 was such a great year for film..

I'm all for low key subtle/naturalistic performances but honestly I just didn't think there was much there for the first 3/4rds then a shift into rather straight forward melodrama after that which didn't really feel earnt to me.

Politically you obviously can't disagree with the reality of the sexism it highlights but in 2019 this didn't feel like it was anything that new or IMHO that subtle in the way it was shown. Indeed it felt rather like middle class comfort arthouse to me in the way it almost totally sidestepped any issues of class.

Honestly with AE these days I'd be happy it got a BR release rather than lamenting the lack of UHD.

[RazorwireRyan]

I felt like every frame of the first three quarters was building towards earning that release of the home stretch personally.

Got the disc in today and rewatched it, definitely one of the best films I've ever seen. Afterwards I watched the interview with the painter which was great and concise, then the entire 55 minutes of footage of her sketching/painting which was really relaxing and fascinating to watch. Really happy with the extras, looking forward to checking out the commentary.

[jackranderson]

Originally Posted by moreorless

I'm all for low key subtle/naturalistic performances but honestly I just didn't think there was much there for the first 3/4rds then a shift into rather straight forward melodrama after that which didn't really feel earnt to me.

Politically you obviously can't disagree with the reality of the sexism it highlights but in 2019 this didn't feel like it was anything that new or IMHO that subtle in the way it was shown. Indeed it felt rather like middle class comfort arthouse to me in the way it almost totally sidestepped any issues of class.

Honestly with AE these days I'd be happy it got a BR release rather than lamenting the lack of UHD.

Fair enough mate, I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by DJJez

Anyone have in hand pics? Is there a slipcover?

Not on my Amazon order, just the disk.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

Eh, really?

I thought the chemistry between the leads was wonderfully realised and came across as very natural. As for being on safe ground.. I’m not sure I agree with that - there are so many metaphors for female oppression to be found in this film and a couple scenes in particular are quite radical. Overall though, I never found it to be overly preachy and maybe that’s due to just how subtle of a film this is (something that other modern feminist films / shows lack IMO).

As for a lack of 4K, that’s a shame as it’s an incredibly beautiful film but It’s also nowhere near as popular as Parasite so it’s no surprise to me. Both are great films worthy of 4K though, The Lighthouse too. Man 2019 was such a great year for film..

This is more in need of a UHD release than Parasite considering it was filmed in 7K with 8K as backup when needed.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

This is more in need of a UHD release than Parasite considering it was filmed in 7K with 8K as backup when needed.

As opposed to Parasite being filmed in 6.5k?