American Cinematographer - May 2006 - 18

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ity by constantly using light and
to illustrate the story's
emotional content. This is evident right
from the beginning, when the doctor,
Tomas (Daniel Day-Lewis), first lays
eyes on his future wife, Tereza (Juliette
Binoche), as she swims in a pool. Using
light reflected off the water, Nykvist
creates subtle but shimmering move¬
ment on Tomas' face that simply and
perfectly conveys his excited state.
The cinematographer also takes
shadow

the film's themes of vision and reflec¬

tion and

runs

with them,

his elaborate

use

particularly in

of mirrors in the

frame. Tomas and his mistress, Sabine

(Lena Olin),

constantly viewed by

remain

riveting for three hours.
The
supplements on this DVD
comprise the film's theatrical trailer and
the half-hour documentary "Emotional
History," which focuses on the chal¬
lenges of shooting a historically specific
film in a country other than the one
where the story takes place. Kaufman,
Murch, Carriere and producer Saul
Zaentz discuss how they substituted
France for Prague, as well as how they
integrated archival footage with
fictional material. Although the techni¬
new

cal information is limited, the documen¬

tary is quite entertaining.
For those who

own

Criterion's

DVD of The Unbearable

the audience and each other in reflec¬

Lightness of
Being, there really isn't enough new

tions, and when they are not, the

content on this edition to warrant

moments are

significant. The same
goes for the filmmakers' subtle but
precise modifications in point of view;
every image simultaneously advances
the story, tells us something about the

another

characters' inner states, and is beauti¬

purchase Criterion's DVD, which is now
out of print, this edition is a fflust.
Jim" Hemphill

ful for its

are

own

sake. It's

no

purchase, but Warner's slightly
superior transfer might be a sufficient
lure. For fans of the film who didn't

-

wonder

Nykvist was honored with ASC and
Academy Award nominations for his
impeccable work.
The Unbearable Lightness of
Being has been released on DVD twice
before, once by MGM and once by The
Criterion Collection, and Warner Home
Video's new, two-disc
has

a

lot in

common

special edition

with the Criterion

edition. The transfer is nearly identical
(and vastly superior to MGM's), but
Warner's edition is slightly cleaner,

without the occasional artifacts that
marred the Criterion transfer. There is

vibrant

sound

a

mix, and

Nykvist's
elegant palette has been perfectly
preserved. As much as anything else.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being is
about sensuality,
and Nykvist's
gorgeous lighting of its love scenes is
rich and sumptuous.
This DVD borrows Criterion's

commentary track, which is shared by
Kaufman, Carriere, Olin and editor
Walter Murch and is

a

of the form. Thematic
cal

issues, and behind-the-scenes

anecdotes

order online at
www.theasc.com

superb example
analysis, techni¬

are

perfectly balanced in

their remarks, which, like the film,

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American Cinematographer - May 2006

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - May 2006
