Though not strictly part of the Danish-based Dogme cycle (nor is it promoted as such), The Inheritance (Arven) utilizes intentionally gritty and harsh digital video photography, often finding unusual angles and textures to emphasize the painful, all-too-real aspects of its depiction of emotional bloodshed. Think The Celebration recast in the world of modern business, and you're not far off. Most impressively, director Per Fly manages to etch a romantic relationship that's far more than mere window dressing; Maria's growing disillusionment with Christoffer's corruption and the ensuing consequences (shown in time-fractured fashion starting near the story's bitter end) form the backbone of a film that could otherwise teeter into dry business chit-chat. Fly also works wonders with digital photography, creating an entrancing visual texture that suits the material perfectly; it's a textbook example of how to use the format compared to, say, the grubby and inappropriate look of efforts like Tadpole. Though the specific approach isn't as audacious as fellow countryman Lars Von Trier (no 100 cameras flickering away on the same set here), the final product is no less impressive for its incisive ability to render subtle emotional textures and potent visual metaphors involving the lead's gradual and inevitable corrosion of the soul.
Home Vision's DVD presents an exceptional transfer of very challenging source material, offering one of the best digital-video titles on the market. In many shots you'd even swear this was 35mm. Danish audio is clear throughout and nicely augmented with optional English subtitles, though the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix seems extravagant given the restrained nature of the original audio track. The moody score (which mixes traditional instruments with electronica) works well enough, though split surround effects are minimal at best. A Dolby 2.0 stereo option is provided as well.
The director appears for a feature-length commentary in which he discusses his intentions for the film, which is positioned as the middle of a trilogy examining class differences in Denmark. (Neither of its companion films is available on American video, however.) He also discusses the technical aspects of shooting on video versus film, firmly rationalizing his approach throughout and offering solid proof that this path was the right one for the film. Also included is a hefty, nearly-one-hour documentary (split into five sections) covering the entire production process from casting to shooting, with plenty of behind-the-scenes, test and audition footage to convey a comprehensive portrait of how the film came to be. The package is rounded out with well-written liner notes by Richard Schickel.
For more information about The Inheritance, visit Home Vision Entertainment. To order The Inheritance, go to TCM Shopping.
by Nathaniel Thompson
