Singing the Blues in Red Blu-ray Review

"Singing the Blues in Red" delivers a robust, 1080p AVC encoded Blu-ray transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The cinematography, nuanced in a style reminiscent of Ken Loach, showcases commendable precision, particularly in close-up details. However, the transfer exhibits occasional haziness which slightly affects finer textures, such as fabric nuances. The color palette is deliberately muted, with an emphasis on drab grays and subdued tones that align with the film’s somber themes. Notably, the black-and-white dream sequences reveal excellent contrast, although grain tends to spike during these moments. Fortunately, the transfer maintains an authentic filmic appearance without any noticeable compression artifacts or Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) issues.

While the overall image is intentionally soft, there remains an appreciable level of detail throughout. The naturalistic style is preserved without any overt smoothing, allowing the film’s grain structure to remain intact and undisturbed. Colors are subdued yet suit the narrative context well; primary colors are rare, resulting in a lack of vibrant pops. Flesh tones appear generally accurate, save for minor instances of pinkish hues. Black levels offer the most depth during daylight scenes but tend to flatten in dimly lit, smoky nightclub settings. The film print itself is in near-pristine condition with no discernible scratches or damages. Overall, this Blu-ray transfer stands as a solid visual presentation that remains faithful to the film's artistic intent while delivering a pleasing viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "Singing the Blues in Red" on Blu-ray utilizes a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, offering a rich and immersive audio experience. The film features dialogue in both German and English, with the German portions accompanied by burnt-in English subtitles. The absence of optional English subtitles for the English segments might pose a challenge for some viewers, particularly due to the heavy accents present in parts of the dialogue. Despite this, fidelity remains consistently high throughout, effectively supporting both the musical numbers and spoken elements.

Ambient sounds are naturally integrated, lending a lifelike quality to the film's environmental audio landscape. While imaging shows some restraint, most notably during scenes dense with background activity, key moments such as musical performances and press conferences benefit from a well-crafted sense of atmosphere and spatial depth. The track's levels are balanced, predominantly occupying the midranges, resulting in a clean and satisfying listening experience. Noteworthy is the lack of any age-related audio issues, enhancing the overall clarity and quality of the presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Singing the Blues in Red" boasts an impressive array of extras, meticulously curated to enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film. The highlight is the isolated music and effects track, presented in pristine DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, providing enthusiasts with a purist experience that accentuates both the sonic and emotional texture of the film. This feature alone offers profound insight into the film's auditory landscape, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in its aural artistry. Despite the absence of traditional extras, the included features are thoughtfully produced, adding significant value to this Blu-ray edition.

Extras included in this disc:

• Isolated Music and Effects Track: Music and effects presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

Ken Loach's 1986 film "Fatherland," alternately titled "Singing the Blues in Red," brings a compelling dichotomy of political and personal struggles to the screen. The narrative centers around East German singer-songwriter Klaus Drittemann (Gerulf Pannach), who seeks refuge in the West, leaving behind his wife and son. Drittemann's defection is presented as a calculated escape from oppressive state control of speech to a commercially vibrant but equally stifling capitalist environment. Loach's handling of this theme is at times didactic, often making the subtext overtly pronounced, leaving audiences with little room for nuanced interpretation.

The film opens to a scene illustrating Drittemann as an established figure, minimizing the friction he might otherwise face in adapting to Western norms. Loach then takes the audience back to 1968, sketching Drittemann’s persecution by East German authorities due to his provocative music. Additionally, Klaus's quest to locate his estranged father (Sigfrit Steiner) offers a poignant counterpoint to the broader socio-political commentary. This subplot injects an emotional core into the film, layering familial tension over the existing ideological battles. The quasi-romantic subplot with Emma (Fabienne Babe) adds further depth but remains secondary.

Critics note that while "Fatherland" addresses themes like freedom of expression and artistic integrity, it occasionally suffers from an overburdened narrative structure. Loach's critique of capitalism mirrors his portrayal of state repression, illustrating how Drittemann exchanges one form of censorship for another—state control for market-driven silencing. However, this interplay results in the film’s ideas feeling repetitive and heavy-handed. Nonetheless, strong performances by Pannach and Steiner lend gravitas to the father-son dynamic, culminating in charged emotional exchanges, albeit somewhat belatedly in the film’s trajectory.

Overall, "Fatherland" or "Singing the Blues in Red" exemplifies Loach's intent to probe complex socio-political themes through character-driven storytelling. Although it sometimes falters under its thematic weight, the film remains a vivid exploration of an artist navigating dual realms of oppression, both political and economic.

The Blu-ray release of “Singing the Blues in Red” offers an overall solid presentation of Ken Loach's film, albeit one that may primarily appeal to his dedicated followers. Loach’s work, scripted by Trevor Griffiths, delves into deeply political and social themes with his characteristic heavy-handedness. The narrative follows a musician's struggle with the oppressive environments, both personal and political, he finds himself in. However, the film does suffer from pacing and structural issues which may hinder it from resonating broadly with general audiences.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray offers commendable audio and visual quality. The transfer is crisp, capturing the film's visually stark atmosphere effectively. The audio track maintains clarity and depth, although it's worth noting that the isolated score and effects track is the sole additional feature. This limited inclusion might not justify a full purchase for those unfamiliar with Loach’s oeuvre.

Die-hard Ken Loach fans will likely appreciate this Blu-ray release of “Singing the Blues in Red” more than casual viewers. This edition successfully preserves the film's technical aspects, but its narrative missteps and lack of substantial extras may render it more suitable for a rental than a blind buy for those new to Loach’s thematic intensity.

The films of Ken Loach tend to be an acquired taste, and as such, "Fatherland" will probably not be that appealing to the general populace. The film has a typically Loachian screed-like quality at times (though it should be noted that the film was actually written by Trevor Griffiths, who notably did some early work on another politically charged film from this same general time period, Reds). There's a probably inescapable depressive quality to a lot of this film, and it's perhaps notable that the music here doesn't seem to provide any real catharsis for Drittemann, and by extension the audience, until rather late in the proceedings. Fans of Loach may find this more enjoyable than the public at large, but even a 2016 Guardian interview with Loach finds the director himself going on record as thinking the film is a mess. Technical merits are generally solid for those considering a purchase.