For more than 30 years, Oscar®-winning directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman have borne powerful witness to gay life, creativity, and activism — documenting lost aspects of LGBTQ+ history and chronicling unfolding events with humor, compassion, and fierce urgency. The Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman Collection includes three of their most essential works in new restorations: Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt (1989, winner of the Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature), Where Are We? Our Trip Through America (1992) and Paragraph 175 (2000). Common Threads uses the NAMES Project Memorial Quilt to explore the cross-section of identities affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as efforts to combat the stigma, misinformation, and political obstruction that deepened the crisis. Where Are We? Our Trip Through America follows Epstein and Friedman as they chronicle an 18-day road trip through the American south. They interview a large variety of people along the way, stopping to ask them questions about their hopes and regrets. Paragraph 175 fills a crucial gap in the historical record by revealing the lasting consequences of the Nazi persecution of homosexuals.
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Video Quality
This Blu-Ray set contains Common Threads on the first disc which has been preserved and restored by the Academy Film Archive, Milestone Film & Video and the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project. This is a gorgeous transfer that all but eliminates any blemishes to the 16mm source outside of the occasional white specks, tiny cuts and other small blemishes. The transfer maintains nearly flawless film grain support throughout with nothing looking unnatural and no major instances of spiking. When you consider the age of the film and condition of the source material, it is pleasing to see the material looking so alive. There does not appear to be any issues with compression artifacts or any other such digital anomalies. The track does show off some fine detail in the environments and clothing of the subjects. Colors present with a nice vividness that pops off the screen. This presentation does a wonderful job of giving life to this moment in history.
The second disc of the set features Where Are We? and Paragraph 175, which are not noted as being from such an intense restoration, but look quite good all the same. These presentations might not be as pinpoint precise as Common Threads, but it features this work in the most beautiful manner possible. These are very nice looking transfers that eliminate nearly all of the jitter and flicker that the source would show. When you consider the enterprising way in which these works were shot, it is impressive how great everything looks. There does not appear to be any issues with compression artifacts or any other such digital anomalies. The track does show off some detail in the clothing of the subjects and in the facial features. Colors present as vivid as the original format will allow. This presentation showcases these works in the most impressive manner that could possibly be expected.
Audio Quality
The new Blu-Ray is presented with a newly restored DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio stereo track for Common Threads, and newly restored DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio tracks for Where Are We? Our Trip Through America and Paragraph 175 that suits the material as well as the source will allow. The interviews are the main focus, and they mostly hold up quite well considering the conditions of capturing some of these subjects out in the world. Some of the information is a bit muddled due to some of the limitations of the equipment and the chatter of the crowded locations, but mostly things remain clear. There are a couple moments where there is a fluctuation in the audio that seems to stem from damage to the source material, but these are very brief and not an overwhelming issue. Considering the limitations in place in the course of this restoration, the results are largely terrific. English subtitles are provided for those who desire them.
Special Features
Disc One – Common Threads
- Common Threads Audio Commentary: Filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman provide a subdued but very informative commentary track in which they discuss their approach to the documentary, how the project was developed, stylistic choices within the film, the background of the subjects on screen, the privilege of speaking with these people, unexpected developments during filming and much more that gives greater context to the documentary.
- Greetings From Washington, D.C. (1983): A 29-minute restored documentary short which takes a look at the First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This is presented in DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio with really insightful interviews from some of the participants as well as other great historical footage.
- Then and Now (1981-2004): A 44-minute restored documentary short which takes an in-depth look at the AIDS epidemic and the shifting perceptions that came from learning more about the disease. This is presented in DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio.
- Vito Russo’s Act Up Demonstration (1988): A nine-minute piece which features Vito Russo’s speech from the Act Up Demonstration.
- Vito Russo Pre-Interview Footage: A 25-minute collection of footage captured before the film started being captured in earnest which features some raw conversations that are quite fascinating.
Disc Two – Who Are We? Our Trip Through America and Paragraph 175
- Paragraph 175 Audio Commentary: Filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman provide an insightful commentary track in which they discuss how this film came about, deciding to get Rupert Everett as the narrator, unexpected last minute developments, moral struggles they had to contend with and more.
- Where Are We? Deleted Scenes: A five-minute collection of unused scenes is provided with optional commentary from Epstein and Friedman.
- Paragraph 175 – Additional Interviews: A 12-minute collection of unused material with Holocaust survivors Philippe Swab and Kitty Fisher is provided here which allows for even more personal recollections to be shared.
- Trailers: The two-minute trailer is provided for Paragraph 175.
Final Thoughts
The Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman Collection is a selection of films that tackle really vital topics with grace and nuance. While the material may seem intimidating to some due to the hard-hitting social issues that they are covering, Epstein and Friendman never fail to find a way to make these topics less than enthralling. The most recent of these is still over 20 years old, but the material remains as relevant and powerful as ever. Milestone Films and Kino Lorber have released a Blu-Ray featuring a tremendous A/V presentation and an excellent assortment of special features. If you are a documentary fan or interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ history, this one is an essential viewing. Highly Recommended
The Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman Collection is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Milestone Films and Kino Lorber have 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.