Arrow Films have announced the release of one of Aleksei German’s modern masterpiece, Hard to Be a God, which premiered at the London Film Festival in 2014 and will be released on Blu-ray and DVD from 14th September 2015.
Based on the novel by legendary Russian sci-fi authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (whose ‘Roadside Picnic’ was adapted by Andrei Tarkovsky as Stalker) the film, a dream project for director Aleksei German since the late 1960s, commenced shooting in 2000, would take six years of shooting, a further six of post-production and a posthumous premiere before his masterpiece was finally unveiled. His son, Aleksei German Jr. (a respected director in his own right) finished the editing of the film before its premiere where it has gone on to play the festival circuit in various cities including Rome, Göteborg, Karlovy Vary and Seattle.
Presented on DVD and Blu-ray with specially revised subtitles and brand new extras presented in Blu-ray packaging designed be celebrated graphic artist Andrzej Klimowski and on DVD with artwork featuring the stunning new UK poster artwork.
Synopsis
A group of scientists visits the distant planet Arkanar, and discovers a society still trapped in its own medieval era. Unable to interfere with the course of its history, they can only watch in mounting horror as all sparks of intelligent and independent thought are mercilessly snuffed out by Arkanar’s cruel rulers. Will they remain enmired in their squalid existence for ever, or can the visitors subtly nudge the more open-minded in the right direction? Truly, it’s hard to be a god.
Legendary Russian sci-fi authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (whose Roadside Picnic was filmed as Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky) wrote the source novel, and adapting it was director Aleksey German’s dream project for decades. It would take six years of shooting, a further six of post-production and a posthumous premiere before his masterpiece was finally unveiled.
But masterpiece it is: a visually astonishing, almost tactile recreation of an unnervingly recognisable alternative universe, drenched in blood, mud and the tears of the oppressed.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
- Original Russian 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Surround Sound
- Optional English subtitles, revised especially for this edition
- Introduction by co-screenwriter Svetlana Karmalita
- Exclusive interview with Aleksei German Jr, who completed his father’s film after his death
- The History of the Arkanar Massacre, an appreciation of the film by Daniel Bird
- The Unknown Genius: Michael Brooke looks at Aleksei German’s creatively dazzling but politically troubled career
- Extensive galleries of film and behind-the-scenes stills
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Andrzej Klimowski
- Limited Edition booklet featuring new writing on the film and more!
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- Optional English subtitles, revised especially for this edition
- introduction by co-screenwriter Svetlana Karmalita
- Exclusive interview with Aleksei German Jr., who completed his father’s film after his death
- Theatrical Trailer
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