Another Day of Life Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Another Day of Life Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 3, 2020

Spending a whopping ten years in production, “Another Day of Life” endeavors to share the experiences of Ryszard Kapuscinski, a Polish journalist who strived to dissect and report on the Angolan Civil War in 1975. Aiming for a more artful (and less expensive) way to detail such a perilous journey, directors Raul de la Fuente and Damian Nenow turn to motion capture animation to bring the tale to life, giving them access to visual elasticity as the story winds through bitter realities and growing nightmares.

“Another Day of Life” is a docudrama, with live-action footage of the conflict woven throughout the film, joined by interview footage of those who knew Ryszard, detailing his professionalism and pain. The production returns to Angola to get in touch with the culture, but mo-cap is really the star of the show, offering a fertile visual realm to best understand the journalist’s experiences with soldiers and friends, and inspect his own conscience, exposed to the horrors of conflict, with trauma and grief slowly filling his heart and mind.

Another Day of Life Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation captures the precision of the animation, with textured artistry on display throughout the viewing experience. Live-action footage is detailed as well, with interview segments highlighting facial surfaces and Angolan visits carrying proper dimension. Colors are striking, delivering sharp primaries that communicate the violence of deep reds, while clothing and greenery secure more varied hues. Delineation is acceptable. Compression issues are mild but remain detectable, with banding a common sight.

Another Day of Life Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is an active event, with surrounds utilized throughout, delivering compelling panning and separation effects, especially with gunfire. Intensity is common, but the more emotional movements of performance are preserved, as dialogue exchanges come through clearly. Scoring is comfortable, with strong instrumentation and position, adding to dramatic needs. Low-end handles with force as military machines roll into frame and explosions occur.

Another Day of Life Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Creating the Animated Characters" (3:38, HD) is a brief study of design work, character modeling, and performances, with animation steps showcased as the final frame is perfected.

• Making Of (13:23, HD) is a quick overview of the production process, beginning with project origins, with the filmmakers eager to explore Ryszard Kapuscinski's work, figuring out a way to do it justice. The crew is assembled and research commences, while the world of motion capture is selected to bring the picture to life. Cameras follow the filmmakers as they visit Angola, highlighting select shots. Scoring contributions are studied and awards season is followed, with the movie, which spent a decade in production, handed a few trophies and a spot at the Cannes Film Festival.

• And a U.S. Teaser (:41, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:00, HD) are included.

Another Day of Life Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Another Day of Life" probably requires a rudimentary education on the Angolan Civil War to appreciate in full, though the picture does try to clarify the conflict. Intimate moments are stronger, with the collision of journalistic duty and human compassion creating a compelling character study, carried along by impressively executed animation.