Fire at Sea Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Fire at Sea Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 11, 2017

“Fire at Sea” takes a look at the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean Sea, but approaches the topic with a sense of distance at first, holding back on horrors as the documentary acclimates to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the setting for this story. It’s the latest work from director Gianfranco Rosi and an often powerful presentation of extremes, contrasting the daily activities of locals and the waking nightmare occurring out on the waters, where migrants from Africa and the Middle East approach on ramshackle boats often filled with a sick and the dead.

Rosi makes a vivid feature, but one that utilizes a docudrama approach to examine its topic. The artificiality of the picture is a bit disconcerting, but realism isn’t questioned, as Rosi has remarkable access to local color and military rescue efforts, which launch boats and helicopters to retrieve the new arrivals. Procedural sequences are extraordinary, showcasing a side of the refugee experience few are allowed to see, watching the Africans closely examined for disease before settling into quarantine areas, where the shock of their experiences and exposure catches up with them, often with quaking displays of emotion.

Fire at Sea Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a crisp look at the HD-shot feature. Emphasis on detail is valuable, permitting viewers to examine locations and participants, and close-ups are extremely textured, capturing emotional ruin and bodily health. Colors are true, handling outdoor encounters with natural greenery and blue skies, and interior decoration also carries flavorful hues. Skintones are spot-on. Delineation is communicative. Some banding is detected during the viewing experience, along with mild pixelation.

Fire at Sea Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't take full advantage of surround activity, preferring a more frontal listening event that emphasizes human interaction. Communication is crisp and clean, handling accents and languages with precision. Soundtrack selections offer ideal instrumentation. Panning effects are compelling, and underwater adventures deliver the sensation of pressure. Atmospherics are varied and supportive.

Fire at Sea Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) offers an essay by Alberto Zambenedetti.

• Interview (5:13, HD) is a 2016 discussion with director Gianfranco Rosi.

• Interview (29:55, HD) features Director and Doctor of the Hospital of Lampedusa, Pietro Bartolo.

• NYFF Q&A (23:42, HD) offers additional insight by Rosi, moderated by film critic Dennis Lim.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:20, HD) is included.

Fire at Sea Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Fire at Sea" is carefully composed, with long, observational takes and respect for intimate spaces. It's about migrant issues, but it also explores the nature of denial and the forward momentum of life. It's political but also naturalistic, with Rosi walking softly enough to create the largest impact he can muster, trying to lure viewers in with atmosphere before highlighting an aching and confusing reality.