A Touch of Sin Blu-ray Review

The AVC/MPEG-4 encoded image of "A Touch of Sin" (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presents an HD-shot production on Blu-ray with meticulous care. While observers may notice some instances of banding and occasional black crush, these issues do not significantly detract from the frame information. The transfer offers a superb depiction of colors, ranging from naturalistic hues to the neon glow of city scenes, highlighting the diverse visual aesthetics. Skin tones are rendered true to life, and the fine detail in facial features capture subtle emotions effectively. Texture and detail in costumes and environments are impressively maintained, enhancing the film's rich visual personality.

Fine detail and texture are consistently high in this 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer, with even the minutest elements like wrinkles, hairs, and clothing textures vividly portrayed. These details not only add to the immersion but also accentuate the film’s ambient authenticity by balancing modern beauty with urban squalor. The color palette is intentionally subdued, giving scenes a slightly colder and dustier look that contributes to a heightened yet realistic atmosphere. High contrast throughout delivers deep blacks without crushing detail, allowing pivotal visual elements in the scene to stand out sharply with no noticeable banding.

Overall, "A Touch of Sin" on Blu-ray offers a meticulously detailed and texturally rich video presentation that captures the artistic essence of the film. The transfer is robust enough to showcase the film’s subtleties while maintaining a cinematic quality that enhances both the narrative and the viewing experience.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix for "A Touch of Sin" primarily favors a frontal audio position, with clear and crisp dialogue well anchored at the center speaker. The mix ensures a healthy balance, avoiding stridence and muddiness in vocal frequencies. Although the surround channels are not heavily utilized throughout, they occasionally come alive during scoring cues and significant atmospheric changes, adding to the immersive listening experience.

This mix boasts a wide dynamic range that adeptly handles both subtle and bombastic sound elements. The sound effects are thoughtfully processed, enhancing the film's natural ambiance. The bustling sounds of street life, crowded train stations, and rural villages are distinct and authentic. The score typically emanates from the front channels, providing expressive and emotive support without overwhelming the dialogue or soundscape. Despite a few instances where more depth might be expected, the overall audio presentation is robust and engaging.

The extras for the Blu-ray edition of "A Touch of Sin" offer a compelling and comprehensive deep dive into the film, providing a rich assortment of additional content to enhance viewer appreciation. The included theatrical trailer presents a concise glimpse into the film's intense atmosphere and narrative drive. Meanwhile, the preview of other Kino Lorber releases serves as an enticing showcase of the distributor's diverse catalog. Each extra is well-presented in high definition, ensuring the visual and auditory quality is maintained throughout.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: A brief, high-definition glimpse into the film's story and tone.
• Other Kino Lorber Releases: A preview featuring other titles available from Kino Lorber.

Director Jia Zhangke’s "A Touch of Sin" embarks on a harrowing journey across the landscape of modern China, capturing the struggles of four individuals besieged by corruption, greed, and violence. The film’s narrative structure weaves together four disparate yet thematically intertwined stories, beginning with Dahai (Wu Jiang), a miner turned vigilante after relentless harassment over revenue sharing from the sale of his village's mine. His story sets a precedent for the film’s raw, unflinching depiction of violence, driven by desperation. Zhou San (Baoqiang Wang), a laconic migrant worker, epitomizes another facet of this desperation, finding solace in his criminal escapades and detachment from familial obligations. Xiao Yu (Tao Zhao), entrapped in societal and romantic turmoil, and Xiao Hui (Lanshan Luo), a young factory worker facing dehumanization, further this exploration through their respective plights, each managing to paint a comprehensive picture of a society in moral and ethical disarray.

Zhangke presents these tales with stark cinematography, employing prolonged silences punctuated by brutal acts of violence that emphasize the characters’ isolation and desperation. The film is a visual meditation, capturing the profound sense of despondency and chaos these characters navigate. Each segment resonates with its own emotional and thematic weight, with Dahai’s assertive pursuit for justice starkly contrasting Xiao Hui’s quiet descent into despair. Xiao Yu’s story, particularly, stands out due to Tao Zhao’s evocative performance that masterfully conveys her internal turmoil and deflated spirit.

Through distant framing and symbolic elements like red apples and holy snakes, Zhangke accentuates the characters’ insignificance in a rapidly changing socio-economic environment. The overarching theme of sin and redemption questions the morality of actions taken under duress, deftly challenging viewers to grapple with the ethical ambiguities at the heart of the human condition. Despite occasional narrative lapses, "A Touch of Sin" remains a compellingly stark portrayal of societal decay, made all the more poignant by its restrained yet powerful cinematic approach.

"A Touch of Sin" offers an intense and unflinching exploration of contemporary Chinese society through four interwoven stories inspired by true events. The film achieves a striking balance between deeply personal narratives and broader social commentary, sharpened by Jia Zhangke's masterful direction. His storytelling is nuanced, creating a tapestry that is both visually arresting and emotionally resonant. Zhangke's film is notable for its exceptional cinematography, capturing both the sprawling landscapes and confined urban settings with equal efficacy. These visual elements are complemented by a meticulously crafted soundtrack that adds depth to the unfolding drama.

The Blu-Ray transfer of "A Touch of Sin" stands out, boasting impeccable picture quality and audio fidelity. These technical attributes enhance the viewing experience, immersing viewers in the film’s intricate world. The disc, though devoid of supplemental material, does not undercut the intrinsic value of the film itself. The sheer quality of the visual and auditory presentation more than compensates for the lack of extras, ensuring that audiences can appreciate Zhangke’s meticulous attention to detail. Editing is fluid, maintaining narrative coherence across the film’s multi-threaded structure, and emphasizing the emotional and thematic weight of each story arc.

There are a few indulgent scenes of abstraction that feel alien to the humanist effort put forth, yet nothing derails the focus of "A Touch of Sin." Satiric touches register clearly, even to foreign viewers, and the director’s interest in exposing the disparity of life in China never wavers, painting a fascinating portrait of disposable people reclaiming their importance, albeit in vicious ways. The film's technical credits are superb, highlighting expanse and claustrophobia, and editing duties are smoothly executed. "A Touch of Sin" has cinematic qualities worth extensive study, but it always returns to an intimate place of reflection, remaining with the characters as they reach a point of no return. It's not always an easy picture to endure or even understand, but when it locates that primal sensation of frustration and discouragement, it pulls off the shadings of human behavior with stunning accuracy.