Satantango Blu-ray Review

Arbelos presents Sátántangó on Blu-ray with a meticulous AVC encoded 1080p transfer, maintaining a 1.66:1 aspect ratio. This restoration shines a light on Béla Tarr's magnum opus, having been painstakingly restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negatives, a collaboration highlighted with The Hungarian Filmlab. No insert booklet is provided, yet details about the restoration process can be found on Arbelos' official website, ensuring viewers are well-informed about the technical craftsmanship involved. This release is a testament to preserving and presenting this cinematic landmark with the reverence it commands, promising an immersive viewing experience through its enhanced visual fidelity.

The film's visual presentation is notably enhanced by Gábor Medvigy's stunning black and white cinematography, which plays a critical role in conveying the movie's often somber and provocative themes. The transfer showcases an impressive array of textures and details, from stark, rain-soaked countrysides to the intricate expressions and weathered faces of the collective's members. Whether it's the deep focus shots that draw viewers into the layered mise-en-scène or instances that appear to employ split diopter techniques for a unique depth of field, the visual storytelling is rendered with exceptional clarity. Despite occasional fluctuations in clarity at juncture points and minor grain swarming in sky-heavy scenes, these do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.

However, it's not without its minor flaws—the Blu-ray presents isolated moments where video compression slightly falters, most notably in scenes contrasting heavily with bright backgrounds or during complex movements. Yet, even when grain appears more prominently or when compression artifacts make a rare appearance, such as through a lace curtain around 21:15, these instances are few and fleeting, doing little to mar the overall visual splendor of the film. The attention to detail in preserving the film's original aesthetic while ensuring the highest possible video quality makes this Blu-ray edition of Sátántangó a remarkable achievement in film restoration and presentation.

The audio presentation of "Sátántangó" on its Blu-ray release employs a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track, staying faithful to its original Hungarian sonic landscape. This monumental film utilizes its auditory capabilities to encapsulate viewers in an almost tactile atmosphere, where every environmental sound and silence becomes an essential part of the experience. The meticulous balance between the stark quietness and auditory details, such as the mesmerizing sequence of cows in desolation, showcases an exceptional use of mono sound to convey depth and space.

Dialogue throughout the film is transmitted with a clarity that ensures no word is lost, integral for a narrative of such complexity and subtlety. Mihály Vig's haunting score complements the audio mix flawlessly, flowing through the channels without deteriorating, thereby maintaining the film’s melancholic tone. This demonstrates the track's capability to handle both the nuances of human voice and the broader strokes of musical accompaniment without compromise.

Inclusion of optional English subtitles offers non-Hungarian speakers an accessible passage into the film's narrative intricacies, completing an auditory package that respects both fidelity to source language and audience inclusivity. The stark mono presentation, rather than being a limitation, becomes a powerful tool in "Sátántangó’s" storytelling arsenal, emphasizing its themes through precise sound design that borders on the corporeal in its ability to invoke the mundane and the catastrophic alike.

The extra features on the "Satantango" Blu-ray present a riveting array of content that deepens the appreciation of this cinematic masterpiece. The new interview with Mihály Vig in "A Sense of Rhythm" enriches the film's auditory experience by exploring the composer and star's musical influences. "Orders of Time in Motion," a video essay by Kevin B. Lee, offers an insightful analysis of the film's unique structure and narrative techniques. Meanwhile, the 2007 archival interview with director Béla Tarr provides a rare glimpse into the filmmaker's thoughts and the creative process behind "Satantango". Additionally, the inclusion of the U.S. Theatrical Trailer rounds off the extras, offering a succinct yet comprehensive look at the film's presentation to American audiences.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Sense of Rhythm: New interview with composer and star Mihály Vig discussing his formative music experiences.
• Orders of Time in Motion: Essay by Kevin B. Lee exploring the film's structure and narrative perspective.
• 2007 Archival Interview with Director Béla Tarr: Moderated talk at the Walker Art Center.
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer: High-definition trailer.

The monumental offering that is "Sátántangó," a prodigious work culled from the dense, stylistically rich novel by László Krasznahorkai, stands as a testament to the audacity of filmmaker Béla Tarr. Presenting a cinematic experience that transcends traditional narrative approaches, the film's daunting seven-plus-hour runtime invites audiences into a labyrinthine exploration of a collapsing collectivist community. Mirroring the complex, interlocking structure of its source material, "Sátántangó" is segmented into twelve parts, mirroring the tango's six steps forward and six steps back, organized on Blu-ray across three distinct sections. This thematic and structural fidelity to the tango suggests an intricate dance of perspectives and times, doing so with a Rashomon-esque narrative technique that offers multiple viewpoints of the same events, each separated by its own thematic interstice, thus challenging the viewer’s perception of linear storytelling and objective reality.

Technically, Tarr’s mastery and his collaboration with cinematographer Gábor Medvigy are evident in the film's deliberate pacing and its predilection for long, unedited takes that command attention. The film oscillates between static scenes of almost unbearable tension and dynamic sequences characterized by sweeping lateral tracking shots, creating a visual spectacle that underscores the film’s thematic gravitas. This technique not only serves to immerse the viewer in the film’s dense atmospheric layer but also highlights the desolation and decay of the film’s setting, further amplified by Mihály Vig’s haunting score. The narrative unfolds through a series of vignettes, centered around characters trapped in cyclical existences within a decaying village landscape, portrayed with such depth and complexity that they captivate with their existential struggles, notably through the tragic arc of Estike (Erika Bók), offering a microcosm of the broader community's descent.

In navigating Tarr's "Sátántangó," one encounters a film that is as much an endurance test as it is an artistic milestone. The Blu-ray presentation enhances this experience, allowing for a detailed exploration of the film's dense narrative and stylistic compositions. It becomes evident that "Sátántangó" defies conventional cinematic experiences, embracing instead a form that demands contemplation and discussion. As it unwraps the socio-political undercurrents of its setting through a meticulous portrayal of its characters and their environment, it crafts a poignant critique that resonates far beyond its rural Hungarian setting. Through this Blu-ray presentation, "Sátántangó" not only secures its place as a cornerstone of cinema but also reinforces the power of film as a medium for profound explorations of human society.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Sátántangó" stirs a complex array of emotions, primarily due to its formidable length and its dense, atmospheric storytelling. Some viewers may balk at the film's extensive duration, considering it an insurmountable barrier to entry. However, for those willing to immerse themselves in its labyrinthine narrative, "Sátántangó" unfolds as an engrossingly bleak exploration of human nature and societal decay. This cinematic journey demands a significant commitment, yet rewards patience with a masterfully crafted visual and auditory experience. The quality of the Blu-ray transfer upholds the film’s artistic integrity, offering solid technical merits that enrich the viewing experience.

Accompanying the main feature is a supplementary package that complements the film well, providing valuable insights into its making and thematic complexities. This aspect of the Blu-ray release will particularly appeal to cinema aficionados seeking a deeper understanding of director Béla Tarr’s vision and filmmaking process. The film's reception, highlighted by a pull quote from Susan Sontag in its promotional materials, underscores its cultural significance and the hipness quotient it carries within certain circles.

In conclusion, "Sátántangó" on Blu-ray is a testament to the power of cinema to challenge and mesmerize. Its length may deter some, but for those equipped with the resolve to undertake this cinematic marathon, the reward is a profound viewing experience that lingers long after the screen goes dark. Technical presentation and supplementary content are both commendable, making this release highly recommended with a few caveats regarding its daunting runtime and somber tone.