Young Ahmed Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Young Ahmed Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see drama from acclaimed filmmakers Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne (Two Days, One Night)

Young Ahmed is a powerful film about the dangerous role of hate in society at large. The production is from acclaimed filmmakers Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne (the critically lauded Belgian brothers behind Cannes award winning hits like Two Days, One Night). A remarkable story, the production features a knock-out performance by the young Idir Ben Addi.

The storyline unfolds through the prism of the Muslim teenager Ahmed (Idir Ben Addi). The youth has been growing up surrounded by dangerous individuals invested in a radicalization of Imam. Though Ahmed is also raised by a loving mom, La mère (Claire Bodson), a dangerous radical teaches him about his views and beliefs. The young Ahmed starts to believe his beloved teacher Inès (Myriem Akheddiou).is an infidel and he plots a plan to kill her.

After a failed murder attempt, Ahmed is then sent away to a juvenile detention center where he meets the kind-hearted girl, Louise (Victoria Bluck). The young white girl is around the same age as Ahmed. It isn't long before the two form a special connection to one another. Can Ahmed learn to see life from another perspective?

The dangers of hate.

The performances are nuanced and impressive to behold. Idir Ben Addi was remarkable in the film and gives a knockout performance. For a young actor, Addi was surprisingly capable at leading the entire film. Throughout the story, Ahmed is at the front-and-center of the storytelling and the lens of the film's directors. The actor is remarkably gifted. Young Ahmed would be amiss without a capable star in the leading role. Thankfully the filmmakers found the right young talent for the formidable task in front of them.

The cinematography by Benoît Dervaux (Angels Wear White, The Girl from the Chartreuse) is truly exquisite. The lush visuals of the film help to draw one in to the world of the characters. This is a beautiful looking film and the camera-work is top-notch throughout. The bright, clear, and vivid photography is so well framed. It is almost as if viewers get to experience a moving painting.

Another element of the production which impressed was the striking art direction by Paul Rouschop (All Good Children, Silent City). Though the filmmaking is a bit minimalistic, the art direction manages to help the story feel more grounded in reality. The efforts are authentic and appreciable. A job well done.

Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne are phenomenally gifted filmmakers with a distinct cinematic vision. Anyone who has seen a film by the directors will have an idea of what is in store for them (though there is a clear distinction between each of their respective efforts). Young Ahmed is brilliant filmmaking: the filmmakers so expertly craft the tale that audiences will become completely absorbed by the experience. Truly a remarkable film. Don't overlook it.

Young Ahmed Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Young Ahmed is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. This is a remarkable presentation of this powerful film. The disc looks pristine and nearly flawless. Colors are robust and beautiful from scene to scene. The naturalistic cinematography is stunning and easily draws one in to the world of the characters. The encode is also top-notch and shows no issues with regards to compression. An outstanding video presentation. It is hard to imagine anyone being disappointed by it.

Young Ahmed Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in French and Arabic with optional English subtitles. The presentation is in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (or optional DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0). The surround sound track is significantly more engaging than originally expected. Though the track is mostly used to create additional ambiance it added a great deal to the film viewing experience and pulled me into the storytelling more. The lossless audio is exceptional. Audio fidelity is strong and the level of detail throughout the sound mix was pleasant. Dialogue remains crisp, clear, and easy to understand from beginning to end. A fantastic audio presentation. The English subtitles are similarly well-done and are free from any glaring spelling or grammatical errors.

Young Ahmed Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Interview with directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (HD, 14:44) is worth a watch for fans of the filmmakers. Subtitled in English.

Young Ahmed Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:35)

Young Ahmed Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Young Ahmed is a wonderful work of art. The film is exceptional from start to finish. Directors Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne (Two Days, One Night) are at the top of their game. The film is visually inventive and features strong performances by the cast. The storyline explores the danger found in hate. The message is powerful. The Blu-ray release features an exceptional video-audio presentation and comes highly recommended.