A Woman Kills Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "A Woman Kills" by Radiance Films offers a unique glimpse into its raw and historically challenging transfer. Presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer, the film's restoration was meticulously performed by Luna Park Films using the original reversible 16mm black-and-white lab elements. Overseen by Francis Lecomte at Les Archives françaises du Film, the process involved digitizing both image and soundtrack elements before finalizing the editing, capturing an evocative essence amidst notable filming intricacies.

While the overall transfer achieves a commendable organic quality, it bears the marks of its historical journey, demonstrating visible wear such as hairline scratches, occasional debris, and more severe damages. These imperfections, alongside episodes of mold spores, contribute to an aesthetic that is often captivating but technically imperfect. The grayscale modulation is well-executed, with some detailed areas making up for the occasional blurring effects due to lens distortions. Although macroblocking might lightly manifest during darker scenes with mist or smoke, the image quality retains a respectable balance between fidelity and stylistic intent.

Although not pristine by modern standards, the Blu-ray transfer holds sufficient depth in blacks and enough overall detail to satisfy casual viewers. The film’s cinematic language is preserved through careful restoration, allowing its historical aspects to shine through despite technical flaws. This release presents "A Woman Kills" in its most authentic available form, embracing its era's visual and narrative quirkiness while offering a valuable window into its storied production history.

The Blu-ray release of "A Woman Kills" presents an LPCM 2.0 Mono audio track in the original French, which adeptly captures the film's unique sonic environment. The track showcases a quasi-hallucinatory sound design, paired with a compelling and eclectic score by Bernard Vitet, effectively contributing to the story's nightmarish ambiance. The sound design is impressively layered, especially for a film likely produced on a micro budget. While the audio occasionally reveals brash high-frequency effects, dialogue and narration remain crisp, complementing the film's narrative flow. Optional English subtitles are available, ensuring accessibility for non-French speakers.

In terms of balance, the 2.0 mono track maintains a commendable equilibrium that supports the film's tone without feeling contrived. Although modern films often offer heightened clarity, this track fulfills its role by providing an authentic representation appropriate for its time of production. The integrity of the original sound is retained, capturing the film's essence effectively. The technical execution aligns with expectations, delivering an audio experience that supports rather than overshadows the narrative.

The Blu-ray extras for "A Woman Kills" compile an impressive assortment of supplements that delve into Jean-Denis Bonan's work and turbulent career. Virginie Sélavy’s introduction offers insightful context about Bonan and the 1968 cultural backdrop of France. The audio commentary by Sélavy and Kat Ellinger is thorough, touching on diverse aspects of the film. The standout feature, "On the Margin: The Cursed Films of Jean-Denis Bonan," provides an in-depth look into Bonan’s challenging journey within the French film industry, supported by interviews with collaborators. Five early short films by Bonan are included, showcasing his evolution as a filmmaker despite variable quality. A beautifully crafted insert booklet enriches the set with essays and reviews that augment the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Virginie Sélavy: Background on Bonan and 1968 France.
• Audio Commentary by Kat Ellinger and Virginie Sélavy: In-depth discussion.
• On the Margin: The Cursed Films of Jean-Denis Bonan: Documentary on Bonan’s career.
• Short Films: Includes early works by Bonan.
• Insert Booklet: Essays, interview, and review extracts.

"A Woman Kills" is an unearthed cinematic artifact from Jean-Denis Bonan, representing a daring exploration of a female serial killer—a notion rarely tread upon in cinema. Originally filmed in the 1960s and shelved for decades, this film emerges as more of a socio-cultural time capsule than a conventional narrative. The storyline hints at dark misdirection, focusing on a prostitute named Helene Picard executed for murder, yet crimes continue posthumously. This conceit is largely undermined by the film’s focus on atmosphere over traditional storytelling, enveloping the audience in an oppressive mood underscored by the revolutionary backdrop of France's 1968 protests.

Technically ambitious, "A Woman Kills" leverages disjunctive editing and voiceovers, creating an aura of post-traumatic dissociation mirrored in its protagonist, Louis Guilbeau. While ostensibly providing a narrative through Detective Solange Lebas, the film often diverts into unusual territory with a brazen blend of documentary elements, erotic undertones, and anarchic flourishes that bewilder more than engage. The early plot twist, dispensed with nonchalance, further disrupts any sense of conventional suspense, as Bonan seemingly revels in deconstructing anticipated tropes with bold indifference.

At its core, however, the film struggles to balance intrigue with coherence. What might allure as an enigmatic relic dissipates into a languid exercise perceived as self-indulgent artifice. While art house aficionados might appreciate its provocative and defiant style, others may find it lacking substance, its potential narratives succumbing to an ethos of experimental excess. Despite Radiance Films' enthusiastic promotion and the film’s intriguing historical narrative as a lost piece, viewers should temper their expectations and may prefer to explore this title with cautious curiosity before adding it to their collections.

"A Woman Kills" on Blu-ray, presented by Radiance Films, offers a rare opportunity to explore a cult classic with intriguing yet polarizing results. The transfer quality is generally solid, bringing the atmospheric visuals to life with improved clarity and detail retention. The monochromatic cinematography is well-preserved, though some minor grain inconsistencies occasionally arise. The audio track complements the visuals effectively, maintaining clear dialogue despite some limitations inherent to the original source material.

The array of supplemental materials included is particularly outstanding, providing extensive insights into the film's historical context and production background. These features, structured with thoughtfulness, elevate the viewing experience by offering deeper understanding and appreciation of the film's unique narrative style and cultural significance. However, the film itself may not cater to all tastes. Its abstract storytelling and niche appeal can be challenging, which suggests that potential viewers should gauge their interest before purchasing.

This release augurs well for Radiance Films' emphasis on unearthing cult items, and while this certainly won't be a film for everyone, it's presented here with generally solid technical merits and some outstanding supplements. Recommended for enthusiasts of cinema history or collectors of rare films. For others, caution is advised—consider exploring more about the film prior to acquisition given its limited edition status, which may prompt interest or urgency to experience this unique offering.