Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		2.5

Paprika Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 19, 2016

Tinto Brass' "Paprika" (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Cult Epics. The supplemental features on the disc include original trailers for other Tinto Brass films; promotional materials; and the documentary feature "Welcome to the Whorehouse". In Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The arrival

There is no other director that has filmed beautiful women quite like Tinto Brass. The great Federico Fellini saw them in a similar way, but more often than not his films left plenty for the imagination to fill in. Brass was never afraid to show in his films that pure erotica and elegance were inseparable because he knew that they were rarely presented and appreciated as they should be.

The stunningly beautiful Debora Caprioglio plays a young country girl who is sent by her boyfriend to a popular brothel. The two plan to marry, but before they do, the boy wants to start his own business. He needs money -- not a lot but much more than the girl, and he can make if they had normal jobs -- and convinces the girl that in the brothel she will make enough in a few weeks.

The madam (Martine Brochard) running the brothel chooses a new name for the girl, Paprika, which according to her perfectly describes her spicy figure. Then a doctor examines her and she begins working.

Paprika becomes a star and clients of all ages flock to see her. She quickly saves enough to help her boyfriend start his business, but then makes a shocking discovery that forces her to walk away from him. She goes on the road and meets various characters while the country slowly begins to change and one after another the once popular brothels begin to close doors.

Paprika definitely has a wild side, but it never looks or feels offensive. In a wonderful documentary feature included on this release, Brass explains that it is essentially a summation of his memories of the final days of legalized prostitution in Italy. He argues that the brothels were an integral part of the social environment that defined post-war Italy and that with their closure a unique culture was lost. This of course is something that not everyone would agree with, but it is a key element of the story his film tells.

Paprika’s journey from her hometown to the brothel and then the big cities is seen as an act of rebellion that empowers her. She is forced to use her body, but Brass’ point is that it is just another form of necessary sacrifice. She is always free to go back home and begin a completely different life.

The film’s visual style is absolutely magnificent. The women are incredibly beautiful and always stylishly dressed, and the camera work amongst the best in Brass’ oeuvre. (Only in the controversial Salon Kitty there are segments that look even more impressive). There is a Fellini-esque vibe as well, though the lack of any exotic dream sequences and especially satiric jabs allows the eroticism to flourish differently.

Caprioglio always has the right personality and looks incredibly relaxed, and as a result the more risky segments work exactly as intended. Brochard was also the right actress to play the kinky madam. John Steiner has a very interesting cameo later in the film. Adult star Valentine Demy plays is the very attractive Beba.

The cinematography is by Silvano Ippoliti, who lensed a number of Brass’ best film, including Caligula and Miranda (with another wonderful performance by Serena Grandi). The wonderful period soundtrack was created by the legendary Riz Ortolani (Cannibal Holocaust, So Sweet, So Perverse).

Paprika Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Tinto Brass' Paprika arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Cult Epics.

The technical presentation is quite underwhelming. It is clear that an old master was accessed with plenty of issues that have also appeared on other problematic releases of Brass films. The framing isn't convincing. It appears that some zooming was performed and as a result there is missing information from the top of the frame. (The same obvious framing issue is also present on other releases of Brass films that were sourced from old masters). Also, the entire film is filtered and as a result depth and in many cases even clarity are compromised. Shadow definition is very problematic, with many of the darker sequences looking very flat. Colors are weak and there are entire ranges of nuances that are missing. The only good news here is that there are no traces of any sharpening adjustments and image stability remains good from start to finish, but the film never really looks even remotely pleasing. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Paprika Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Italian Dolby Digital 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

A lossless track would have been preferable as Riz Ortolani's soundtrack is excellent and it has a very particular role, but the lossy track is far from disappointing. It has decent depth and clarity remains surprisingly good throughout the entire film. The overall range of nuanced dynamics is modest at best, but the only areas where there is notable dynamic movement are the ones where Ortolani's music enhances the intended atmosphere. There are no pops, audio dropouts, or distortions to report.

Paprika Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Tinto Brass Trailers - a gallery of trailers for other Tinto Brass films that have appeared on Blu-ray.
  
  1. Paprika
  2. Monamour
  3. Cheeky!
  4. Private
  5. Black Angel
  6. Kick the Cock

• Lobby Card Video Gallery - a gallery with original Italian and German promotional materials for Paprika. (2 min).

• Welcome to the Whorehouse - in this archival documentary, Tinto Brass recalls the controversy Paprika created after its release and the extreme reactions from feminist groups (Brass mentions an incident that was instigated by the same group that had also condemned Federico Fellini's City of Women), and discusses the transformation Italy underwent after the war when a decision was made to close the large number of brothels throughout the country (the campaign was initiated by Senator Merlin in 1948), the 'erotic culture' that was lost, how his memories of the era are reflected in his films, his interactions with real prostitutes and the economic realities that made them comfortable working in the big brothels, an illuminating meeting with Madame Claude in Pairs (whose memories are collected in a famous novel), the casting of Debora Caprioglio, etc. In Italian, with English subtitles. (20 min).

Paprika Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cult Epics deserves a lot of credit because without its efforts Tinto Brass' films will likely never be upgraded to Blu-ray in the United States. However, it is disappointing to see that there are no proper masters for them. I thought that after Blu-ray established itself, at least Brass' best films will be remastered, and we would see lavish special editions on the market, but it appears that no one in Italy has been willing to give them the attention they deserve. Paprika is Brass' best film and while it is good to have a local Blu-ray release, I must say that the technical presentation is rather underwhelming. If you really want to have it in your collection, it is probably best to wait for a sale of some sort.