Pariah Blu-ray delivers stunning video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Alike is a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents and younger sister in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the support of her best friend, Laura, she is especially eager to find a girlfriend. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and...
For more about Pariah and the Pariah Blu-ray release, see Pariah Blu-ray Review published by Neil Lumbard on August 22, 2021 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Pariah is a critically acclaimed gem which toured the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. The feature
length production was adapted from the original 2007 short film. Written and directed by Dee Rees (Mudbound), Pariah explores a
social outcast learning about her sexuality and her role in society.
Alike (Adepero Oduye) is a young black woman coming-of-age in Brooklyn while learning to accept her individual sexuality. A black lesbian
seeking love and romance in the city, Alike navigates the world around her while juggling her family life. With disapproving family, Alike struggles with
accepting her sexual identity but must learn to navigate her own path in life. An awakening and a journey of self-discovery, Pariah is an
examination of sexual identity.
Adepero Oduye delivers a superb performance in the leading role. The performance demanded a great deal out of the actress. Exploring a young
teenage girl struggling to accept her sexuality as a lesbian (amid disapproving family), the actress delves in to the part with a clear dedication to the
role and everything the part required. Oduye creates a sympathetic and compelling character. Viewers will certainly appreciate the raw vitality to her
performance and the honesty it provokes.
The production design by Inbal Weinberg (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Place Beyond the Pines) is a strength of
Pariah. The artistic aesthetic is evocative and creative throughout the film. Alongside art direction by Sara K White (Tallulah, The
Flight Attendant), Pariah is a beautiful, complex, and euphoric work of art.
A must-see coming-of-age story.
One of the most subtly effective elements of Pariah resides in the costumes by Eniola Dawodu (We Made This Movie, A Wife
Alone). The costumes are a great fit for the characters throughout the film (and their respective backgrounds). The distinctive costumes for Alike
showcase her femininity and spirited side. A wonderful effort.
The lush cinematography by Bradford Young (Arrival, Selma) is one of the best components of Pariah. The visuals are
hypnotic and engaging throughout. The cinematography won the Excellence in Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The stirring
photography
helps to tell the story with a quiet radiance. A graceful and poetic effort by Young.
The filmmaking is well-paced throughout Pariah. The expert editing by Mako Kamitsuna (Blackhat, Mudbound) helps the
story flow well: showcasing every single component of the filmmaking with a serene elegance. The edit is artistic and beautiful.
One of the things that sets Pariah apart is how singular a voice writer-director Dee Rees (Mudbound, Bessie) has as an
artist. As a strong female director, Rees imbues Pariah with her intelligence and her complete knowledge of filmmaking. The production is
authentic and
honest about the roles of black lesbian women in society and the authenticity of the filmmaking is one of the things that makes Pariah a masterful
film. Don't overlook this gem.
Arriving on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection, Pariah is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical
aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The release features a wonderful encode that never struggles with preserving detail in the cinematography. The
colorful cinematography of the film shines throughout and makes a strong impression. The crisp and well-defined picture-quality looks astonishing. As a
modern production, there were no issues to report concerning print wear and the like. An exceptionally crisp presentation by the Criterion Collection.
The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The lossless audio track was top-notch throughout the presentation.
Dialogue was clear and easy to understand. The surrounds were actively engaged during the presentation. The ambiance was greatly enhanced in
subtle ways as well. A top-notch effort by Criterion.
The release includes a leaflet featuring an essay penned by Cassie Da Costa (entitled "Song of the Self.")
Dee Rees and Michelle Parkerson (HD, 35:04) discuss the production of Pariah and its cultural significance in this interview
produced by the Criterion Collection in March 2021. Filmmaker Dee Rees and author Michelle Parkerson share in a lively and engaging
conversation about the importance of the filmmaking and its exploration of the lives of black lesbian women. The piece is a must-see for any viewer
with an appreciation for the film.
Cast Reunion (HD, 28:35) is a special conversation between the cast and production team behind Pariah. The discussion was held
for the 10th anniversary of the feature-film. Moderated by scholar Jacqueline Stewart, the reunion features filmmaker Dee Rees as well as
actors Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Aasha Davis, and Charles Parnell.
Making of Pariah: Department Heads (HD, 39:09) is a discussion about the development of Pariah as
a feature-film. The making-of documentary includes interviews with Director Dee Rees, producer Nekisa Cooper, editor Mako Kamitsuna, and production
designer Inbal Weinberg. Moderated by scholar Jacqueline Stewart.
Kara Keeling (HD, 15:14) is interviewed by the Criterion Collection in this exclusive piece produced in March 2021 with the film scholar
and author.
Pariah is a hypnotic film about a young black woman coming-of-age in Brooklyn. Writer-director Dee Rees (Mudbound) provides
Pariah with a sense of authenticity that is felt throughout the entire film. Exploring female sexuality and the lives of black lesbian women,
Pariah is an important film that audiences won't want to miss. The Blu-ray release from the Criterion Collection includes a nice assortments of
extras (including a fantastic interview with Dee Rees) and has a nice presentation. Highly recommended.
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The Criterion Collection has announced its June slate of Blu-ray releases. Amongst them are: Pickup on South Street (1953) Visions of Eight (1973), and The Human Condition (1959-1961).
Universal Studios Home Entertainment will bring Pariah to Blu-ray in April. The full-length theatrical debut of writer/director Dee Rees, this drama focuses on Alike (Adepero Oduye, Half Nelson), a Brooklyn teenager just beginning to assert her lesbian sexuality. ...
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