The latest film from Iranian master Shahram Mokri (FISH & CAT, CARELESS CRIME) is another mysterious M.C. Escher-like meditation on reality and illusion, doubles and doppelgängers and uncanny synchronicities, involving stories-within-stories set during production of a film by a director named “Shahram” – already blurring the lines between film and reality. Guns play a strange and mystical part in BLACK RABBIT: on the film set, we meet armorer Babak, played by the great Iranian actor Babak Karimi (FISH & CAT, A SEPARATION). This production marks his 40th, and he’s paranoid he won’t get through the day without a terrible accident (his mentor was killed in an explosion on his 40th film.) “I’ve discovered something important: there’s a revolver here hell bent on revenge,” he murmurs.
The other major storyline involves Sara (Hasti Mohammaï), who is kept as a prisoner inside her house by her husband while she recovers from a near-fatal car accident. She’s wrapped in bandages like Elsa Lanchester in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and gives off a foul odor from her wounds. Slowly, fantastical elements begin to bleed through, like waking dreams intruding on the conscious world: an enormous prop Coffee Cup moves about the set by itself; inanimate objects talk amongst themselves about the Italian gun that’s arrived to take revenge; and an aspiring actress gives an audition in which she does magic, causing a white rabbit and a black rabbit to appear. “The magic of time weaves together apparently unrelated events. A story of women seeking to escape their cocooned lives. A story of objects possessing a soul, deciding when and where to play a role. A quest to make dreams come true, linking these stories together thanks to the wonder of cinema.” – Shahram Mokri. In Tajiki and Russian with English subtitles.
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Video Quality
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit comes to Blu-Ray in a 1080p presentation that is confidently executed on all fronts. The narrative takes place mostly within the confines of the film set, with momentary lapses into liminal spaces, all of which yield a visually dynamic experience filled with impeccable details. The transfer delivers some rich texture within the environment that adds depth to the frame. Skin tones are consistent and natural all around. There are some bold colors featured in the clothing and production design. The movie is not an exceptionally vibrant affair, but each hue is dialed in to the ideal shade that is natural and pleasant. Highlights are handled well with no instances of blooming, and the blacks do not suffer from any significant crush, banding, or compression artifacts. This presentation is top-tier from beginning to end.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original languages that holds up just as well as the visual side. Dialogue comes through clearly without ever being overshadowed by the sound effects or the music. This is not a particularly kinetic affair, but activity in the low end adds some texture to a few bustling sequences. The environmental effects create a thriving soundscape that makes the location teem with life from each department. The track brings consistent chatter from the crew through effectively, along with nature sounds when out in the grove. The sound design is more complex than you might imagine, and it remains acutely accurate with sounds positioned favorably in the mix. This is an excellent audio presentation from Deaf Crocodile. Optional English subtitles are provided.
Special Features
The Deluxe Edition Blu-Ray of Black Rabbit, White Rabbit arrives in a hard slipcase package that is a beauty in person. The release also includes a 60-page bound book featuring new essays by film historians Walter Chaw, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, and Michelle Kisner, along with rare production artwork and photos. All of this provides great insight into the film, the themes, the creatives, and the behind-the-scenes details in a thoughtfully written style. The on-disc special features are as follows:
- Audio Commentary: Film programmer and critic Tori Potenza provides an informative commentary track in which she provides great context for Mokri and his place in Iranian cinema, how he prepares to shoot his films, some of the themes on display, how it compares to some of Mokri’s other films, the background of the performers, and much more.
- The Maze – Entrances and Exits in Black Rabbit, White Rabbit: A 13-minute visual essay from Stephen Broomer that explores some of the visual motifs, parallel actions, character arcs, and more.
- Early Shahram Mokri Short Films: In an amazing turn of events, Deaf Crocodile gathers the early short films that were not included in their previous Shahram Mokri set and provides them here.
- The Dragonfly Storm (2002) (15:46)
- The Limit of the Circle (2005) (15:45)
- Ando-C (2007) (16:10)
- Trailer #1 (1:34)
- Trailer #2 (1:51)
Final Thoughts
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit is a proper mindfreak from the mad genius Shahram Mokri, who conjures realities within realities filled with impossible actions. Some may struggle with his approach to nonlinear cinema, but those who let go of a traditional narrative ambition and give themselves over to the rhythms of these unusual moments will have a lot to chew on. The film is quite long and can be challenging on a few different levels, but it is one that rewards those who lock in. Deaf Crocodile has released a Blu-Ray which sports a top-tier A/V presentation and a valuable assortment of special features. Recommended
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Deluxe Edition Slipcase exclusively through Deaf Crocodile and DiabolikDVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Deaf Crocodile has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
