Astrakan Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Astrakan Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 2, 2023

David Depesseville offers a tale of extreme woe in “Astrakan,” a French production that follows the days of a young, unwanted boy gradually losing control of himself due to deep emotional issues. The director goes the cinematic realism route for the endeavor, looking to capture behavior and reflection as the main character experiences a range of horrors, coping to the best of his ability. “Astrakan” provides a powerful study of adolescence and the stockpiling of pain, and Depesseville finds his way through most of the effort, capturing raw experiences and authentic performances before getting a little too drastic in the final act.

Samuel (Mirko Giannini) is an abandoned boy who’s been through a lot at such a young age. He’s on the cusp of teendom, sent to live with foster parents Clement (Bastien Bouillon) and Marie (Jehnny Beth), who are using the situation to make ends meet, showing little regard for Samuel beyond their expected guardian duties. Samuel has behavioral issues and no guidance, facing a world of bullies, pedophiles, and abuse. His world is brightened when neighbor Helene (Lorine Delin) shows interest in becoming his girlfriend, but Samuel can’t escape the cruelties of life, unable to deal with everything he’s feeling.

Samuel is essentially a silent witness to his own world. He’s being raised by Clement, who’s quick to physical violence, and Marie, who’s navigating her troubling role as a parent to a foster child. The boy has his experiences, which makes up most of “Astrakan,” watching Samuel deal with others and himself, trying to participate in a domestic situation that’s been forced on him. The feature provides an understanding of mistreatment, getting into the child’s dealings with disturbed men, and there’s a whole situation with Helene, a girl using Samuel to enjoy adolescent events, pushing sexuality on him. There’s a haze of uneasiness in “Astrakan,” with Depesseville asking viewers to remain with a terrorized child as he’s hit from all sides, gradually turning to his dark side for comfort (or perhaps returning to it).

There’s potent imagery in “Astrakan,” especially when Samuel goes into observation mode, spying on a world that’s trying to forget he even exists. There’s also a central fight of behavior that’s interesting to watch, as Samuel finds some purpose in gymnastics, only to return to foster parents struggling to pay for training. “Astrakan” follows a downward spiral of actions, as Samuel turns to theft to pay for cigarettes, and his relationship with Helene isn’t what it initially seems, sending him deeper into darkness. Sexual abuse is also present, with Marie’s brother, Luc, trying to get Samuel alone. Perhaps most compelling is the boy’s discovery of physical jeopardy, which gives him loving attention he wouldn’t otherwise receive.

Astrakan Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers excellent detail on skin particulars, with the production spending a fair amount of screentime focusing on faces and bodies. Clothing is fibrous. Distances are deep, exploring rural locations, and interiors preserve age and decoration. Colors are clear, with distinct earth tones and greenery. More vibrant primaries are found with costuming and signage. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like.

Astrakan Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't active, but atmospherics are defined, bringing the sounds of nature and room tones into the surrounds. Musical moods are rare, but also carry a circular presence with sharp instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges are crisp. Low-end isn't challenged.

Astrakan Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (1:36, HD) is included.

Astrakan Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Astrakan" hits hard with its depiction of childhood misery, and it remains elegant with its filmmaking, never pushing emotions on viewers, allowing them to process everything along with Samuel. It's the final 20 minutes where Depesseville loses patience with stillness, going for extremity in the boy's actions against others, also heading into overkill with an operatic ending that doesn't connect. "Astrakan" closes with a shot of grandiosity after working hard to simply be real, and it bruises the viewing experience, but doesn't break it, as there's enough deeply realized behavior to support the viewing experience.