From Executive Producer Macklemore, The Encampments offers an intimate look at America’s student movement, sparked at Columbia University as students, among them being Mahmoud Khalil, protested their universities’ ties to the war on Gaza.

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Video Quality

The Encampments comes to Blu-Ray from a strong HD master. The film primarily consists of new footage shot during the protests with some occasional looks at archival clips for additional context. The footage looks as technically excellent as it can look in high definition. Most of the filmmaking takes a more verité approach, and no sequences look considerably less refined than any other. The transfer appears to have plenty of room to breathe, and there are no shortcomings with compression artifacts, banding or other digital nuisances.

Most of the film looks crisp and clear with natural skin tones and detailed facial features. The colors on display are natural and vibrant as they provide a nice visual contrast on screen. Much of the film takes place outside on the campus, which provides some nice texture to the picture. Black levels are appropriately deep and allow some amount of detail in shadows. I do not see how this transfer could have been significantly improved. It’s a worthy presentation that is handled with care by Watermelon Pictures.

Audio Quality

Watermelon Pictures gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that steadfastly translates all of the distinct facets of the mix. Dialogue is the driving force of the film, and it is largely balanced well with any competing sounds so that words come through clearly. Directors Michael T. Workman and Kei Pritsker do a commendable job of capturing the subjects, considering some of this material was filmed during chaotic circumstances. The implementation of music establishes a distinct mood for the film, and it is resolved well here as it fills the room and flows into the surround channels. Environmental sounds are plentiful and are replicated perfectly. You could not have asked for a better audio presentation for this one.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Co-Director Michael T. Workman and Columbia Student Worker Union President Grant Miner provide an informative commentary track that gives some deeper context to the movement that complements the film quite well.

Bonus Scenes: Six unused scenes totaling 15 minutes are provided that get into information that could not be accommodated in the documentary.

Still Gallery

Original Trailer (2:10)

Final Thoughts

The Encampments is a vital documentary that shows individuals unafraid to stand up for what they believe in and demand more from the institutions that are shaping the next generation. The structure of the film is clear and accessible while always keeping you engaged and enlightening you to some uncomfortable truths. Even if you are emotionally burned out from all of the horrors of the world, there are so many reasons given for why you should not look away from this. Watermelon Pictures has released a Blu-Ray featuring a top-tier A/V presentation and a nice assortment of special features. Recommended

The Encampments is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Watermelon Pictures and OCN Distribution 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.