Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Islands of Yann Gonzalez / You and the Night Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 5, 2022

Before experiencing some creative appreciation for his 2018 film, “Knife+Heart,” director Yann Gonzalez was already hip-deep in artistic experimentation in 2013’s “You and the Night.” It’s his ode to the passions, madness, and the comfort of strangers, sold in a highly visual manner that establishes his cinematic interests to come. Only here, there’s distinct coolness to the execution, with Gonzalez trying to turn theatrical material into a cinematic show of force.

Packaging on “You and the Night” compares the feature to “The Breakfast Club,” which isn’t the case. Gonzalez has a room of broken people to explore, but his vision isn’t about dramatic investigation. It’s more of a performance art piece, watching different personalities wrestle with trauma and sexuality, sharing their stories, which gives the helmer a chance to visualize internal ache and elements of the unreal.

The Islands of Yann Gonzalez / You and the Night Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "You and the Night" delivers a striking sense of color, with Gonzalez using bright primaries and cooler visions throughout the viewing experience. Hues are crisp, and skintones are natural. Detail is strong, capturing skin particulars and fibrousness on costuming, with strange outfits displayed during the feature. Artful additions and interiors are textured, and distances retain depth. Delineation is satisfactory, managing many scenes with limited lighting. Grain is fine and film-like.

The Islands of Yann Gonzalez / You and the Night Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides an immersive understanding of dramatic atmosphere in the feature, with dialogue exchanges sharp, securing emotional performances. Soundtrack selections bring heavy synth power, and scoring cues also support with a circular presence.

The Islands of Yann Gonzalez / You and the Night Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (18 pages) includes "A Conversation with Elodie Petit" and "Notes on the Program" by Yann Gonzalez.

Disc 1

• Interview (20:09, HD) is a chat with director Yann Gonzalez.

• Scene Commentaries (12:42, HD) presents clips from "You and the Night," with thoughts provided by director Yann Gonzalez and actors Niels Schneider, Kate Moran, and Nicolas Maury.

• Technical Tests (4:30, HD) features commentary by director Yann Gonzalez.

• And a Trailer (1:34, HD) for "You and the Night" is included.

Disc 2

• Short Films (HD) include "We Will Never Be Alone Again" (10:14) from 2012, "I Hate You Little Girls" (43:27) from 2008, "By the Kiss" (5:20) from 2006, "Three Celestial Bodies" (15:31) from 2009, "Intermission" (15:36) from 2007, "Land of My Dreams" (20:36) from 2012, and "Islands" (23:57) from 2017.

• Music Videos (HD) include "Rotten Plum" by Croche (3:33), "Drifting Sun" by Look Starfish (4:38), "Les Vacances Continuent" by Perez (3:35), and "Fou de Bassan" by Jita Sensation.

• Film Festival Shorts (HD) include "Again, Again, Again" (2:20) and "Aither" (2:27).

• Experimental Shorts (SD) include "She Mirror" (2:47) and "Something" (6:09).

• And a Compilation Trailer (1:42, HD) is included.

The Islands of Yann Gonzalez / You and the Night Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"You and the Night" isn't gripping, getting a little lost in artful pursuits, but it's striking at times, showcasing Gonzalez's love of craftsmanship and abstract ideas. It's strictly for the faithful.