Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Trances Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 17, 2021

Ahmed El Maanouni's "Trances" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include an archival video introduction by Martin Scorsese and archival documentary on the making of the film. In Arabic, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The band

Trances initially appeared on Blu-ray as part of Criterion's Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project, No. 1 box set. The text below was used in our review of the box set.

The very first film to be restored by the World Cinema Foundation at Cineteca di Bologna/ L’Immagine Ritrovata is a favorite of director Martin Scorsese. It is titled El Hal a.k.a. Trances and was directed by Moroccan filmmaker Ahmed El Maanouni in 1981.

The film, which apparently inspired the construction and many of the designs in director Scorsese’s acclaimed The Last Temptation of Christ, follows closely the four members of the Moroccan band Nass El Ghiwane -- Abderrahman Kirouche (Paco), Allal Yaala, Omar Sayed, and Larbi Batma -- as they discuss their music and travel across Morocco and Tunisia to perform in front of their passionate fans. Between the concert footage and the discussions there is also rare archival footage highlighting important and controversial events from Morocco’s troubled past. (Interestingly, a portion of one such very intriguing archival clip is masked to hide the identities of some apparently divisive political figures).

Western viewers will likely need a bit of time to get used to the music’s rhythmic structure, but its intensity should immediately overwhelm even the most conservative amongst them. Indeed, during the concerts the energy and pure passion on display are quite remarkable. What is even more impressive, however, is the perfect coordination between the musicians who, like many of their fans, frequently seem to be on the verge of switching into a trance mode. (There is one intimate performance where an elderly woman actually enters the trance state of jadba).

The texts of the songs are equally powerful. Some are angry, targeting political subjects; others praise the beauty of Morocco and its ancient culture. As the camera frequently zooms over the crowds, it is easy to see that these are texts many people know by heart.

There are two types of discussions in the film. The more casual ones typically take place during practice sessions where the members of Nass El Ghiwane improvise or experiment with different traditional instruments. From time to time they would also recall their early days as struggling young troubadours. What these discussions reveal is that there is a great deal of respect between the men and a clear understanding that together they are indeed capable of creating special music. Occasionally, some of the musicians are also seen explaining to kids and young men how to play traditional songs.

The non-concert footage is primarily from the legendary city of Casablanca. But in Trances Casablanca isn’t the elegant and prosperous city one would discover in foreign travel guides and business brochures. It is a chaotic, polluted, and somewhat lonely city full of people struggling to make ends meet.

Much like D.A. Pennebaker's legendary Monterey Pop and Albert Maysles, David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin's Gimme Shelter, Trances was shot on 16mm. Later on, it was blown up to 35mm. Unsurprisingly, the entire film has a distinctive raw look that feels most appropriate for the type of music Nass El Ghiwane perform.

Trances has been restored from the original 16mm camera and sound negatives, preserved by producer Izza Genini. The restoration has been supported by the World Cinema Foundation launched by director Scorsese at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.

Trances Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Trances arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet that is provided with this Blu-ray release:

"This digital transfer was created on an ARRISCAN film scanner in 2K resolution from the 16mm original camera and sound negatives, preserved by producer Izza Genini. The sound negative was restored to Dolby SR and digital. The restoration produces a new 35mm internegative for long-term preservation and was completed in May 2007. Special thanks go to Genini and director Ahmed El Maanouni for facilitating the restoration process.

Restoration supervision: L'immagine Ritrovata/Bologna, Italy."

If you have seen the Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project, No. 1 box set, then you already know how Trances looks on Blu-ray. This single-disc release offers a presentation of the exact same restoration of the film.

The film was restored in 2007 with the participation of producer Izza Genini and director Ahmed El Maanouni. Because it was shot on 16mm (and later on blown up to 35mm) under varying conditions, different parts of it exhibit certain minor fluctuations in terms of density, clarity, and fluidity. In select areas where archival is incorporated, traces of fading can be spotted as well. The important point that needs to be underscored is that there are no traces of compromising digital work, which is why the end product has a very pleasing organic appearance. The color grading is convincing, but I have to admit that my only experiences with this film have been on Blu-ray. Debris, cuts, damage marks, and all other similar age-related imperfections have been removed as best as possible. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Trances Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Arabic: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit). Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio incorporates a lot of organic sounds and noises, so you should expect to notice plenty of dynamic fluctuations. Clarity and balance could be affected as well, but there are no distracting anomalies to report. In other words, the original soundtrack has a documentary quality that is entirely appropriate. There are no distortions or audio dropouts to report.

Trances Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introduction - Martin Scorsese introduces Ahmed El Maanouni's Trances and discusses the music of Nass El Ghiwane. The introduction was recorded for Criterion in 2013. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• On Trances - Trances was the first film to be restored by the World Cinema Foundation. In this video program, director Martin Scorsese discusses his admiration for the film. Also included are excerpts from interviews with director Ahmed El Maanouni, musician Omar Sayed, and producer Izza Genini. The program was produced exclusively for Criterion in 2013. In English and French, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (19 min, 1080i).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring author Sally Shafto's essay "Power to the People" as well as technical credits.

Trances Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It isn't difficult to understand why Martin Scorsese was so overwhelmed by Ahmed El Maanouni's Trances -- it is a raw and at times indescribably intense film about a legendary band from Morocco that managed to transform an entire generation of people with their music. The visual style of the film reminds of Gimme Shelter, but its atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever experienced. A few years ago, when it was first released on Blu-ray, Trances was a tremendous discovery for me. This release offers a presentation of the same restoration of the film that was first introduced via the Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project, No. 1 box set.