Goodbye, 20th Century Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Goodbye, 20th Century Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 7, 2023

1998’s “Goodbye, 20th Century” is a Macedonian production, coming from local filmmakers trying to make themselves seen with an extremely odd endeavor. Directors Darko Mitrevski and Aleksander Popovski aim for the surreal and the extreme with the picture, which keeps them occupied enough to forgo most attempts at storytelling. “Goodbye, 20th Century” is mostly invested in the visual experience, with the movie impressively mounted, highlighting wonderful cinematography. It’s only a shame the feature as a whole isn’t nearly as compelling as its surface appeal.

“Goodbye, 20th Century” is somehow all over the place and yet completely inert, exploring various stories about death, compulsion, and insanity. It’s not an anthology film, but more of a collection of experimental moviemaking, with the production working to deliver bizarre visuals and physical violence, occasionally dipping into black humor in a way that makes the whole thing look as though it was initially meant to be a European beer commercial. There are characters, but there’s no effort to really get to know them. Plot is basically ignored. And extremity is also welcome, making for an abrasive viewing experience at times. “Goodbye, 20th Century” is meant to be a wild ride of interpretive cinema and local commentary, but there’s no entry point offered here.

Goodbye, 20th Century Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. "Goodbye, 20th Century" is a deeply visual feature, and the viewing experience supports the strange cinematic ways of the endeavor. Detail is excellent, exploring skin particulars on aged and battered characters, with superb textures also available on costuming. Exteriors are deep as the production tours parts of Macedonia, and interiors are open for inspection, highlighting strange decorative additions. Color is lively, with strong primaries throughout, offering defined reds on Santa gear and bloodshed. Surreal lighting efforts are also appreciable. Greenery is distinct. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in strong condition, with some mild scratches encountered.

Goodbye, 20th Century Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, preserving performance choices. Musical selections support as intended, with a more pronounced presence for soundtrack cuts. Sound effects are basic but appreciable, adding to the general chaos of the endeavor.

Goodbye, 20th Century Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Designs Beyond the 20th Century" (9:07, HD) is an interview with production designer Bujar Mucha, who recalls the architectural training that led to his hiring on the movie, joining a small but loyal crew of inexperienced people. Collaboration is highlighted, along with invention, especially with the strange locations and set additions, including items pulled from local landfills. The interviewee spotlights his creative achievements from the picture and his pride in the work, happy to see viewers respond to "Goodbye, 20th Century."

• "The Immortal Man" (14:26, HD) is an interview with actor Nikola Ristanovski, who provides faint memories of "Goodbye, 20th Century," including production enthusiasm for the project during an early moment in his career. The interviewee explores the creation and layers of the screenplay, dissecting its intent and characterization. Ristanovski remains more philosophical than anecdotal, working to convey the meaning of the feature and its prescient view of the world.

• "Incredible Madness" (37:50, HD) is an interview with director Aleksander Popovski, who charts his educational background, with interest in movies and theater, eventually making his way into advertising and music videos. Popovski details the state of Macedonia during the 1990s, even receiving a little Hollywood attention when "The Peacemaker" shot a few scenes in the country. The interviewee discusses the collaborative atmosphere of "Goodbye, 20th Century," identifying the origins of the short stories and various contributions from the crew. Creative highlights are shared, with Popovski celebrating casting and technical achievements. Critical reception is also analyzed, with varied reactions to the endeavor over the years.

• "Uber Makedonishe" (4:18, SD) is a music video from the band Arhangel.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Goodbye, 20th Century Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Visual effort in "Goodbye, 20th Century" is mighty, generating a stylish, funky descent into madness. For a low-budget endeavor, the production really puts in the time to make the movie look great, with a capable cinematic language making much more of an impression than any of the half-baked ideas presented in what passes here for short stories.