Naked States (2000) |
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Naked States (2000) |
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| General | Extras | ||
| Category | Documentary |
Main Menu Audio Biographies-Cast Trailer-The Closet; Grass; Kandahar; Lumumba; Monsoon Wedding Trailer-StartUp.Com; Tackle Happy DVD Credits |
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| Rating |
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| Year Of Production | 2000 | ||
| Running Time | 81:29 (Case: 80) | ||
| RSDL / Flipper | No/No | Cast & Crew | |
| Start Up | Menu | ||
| Region Coding | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Directed By | Arlene Donnelly |
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Studio
Distributor |
Level Four Films Madman Entertainment |
Starring | Spencer Tunic |
| Case | Click | ||
| RPI | ? | Music | Chris Hajian |
| Video | Audio | ||
| Pan & Scan/Full Frame | Full Frame | English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) | |
| Widescreen Aspect Ratio | None | ||
| 16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
| Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
| Original Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 | Miscellaneous | |
| Jacket Pictures | Yes | ||
| Subtitles | None | Smoking | No |
| Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
| Action In or After Credits | No | ||
Naked States is a documentary about artist Spencer Tunic producing his photographic exhibition Naked States.
Spencer Tunic is a New York photographic artist who is best known for his installations featuring large numbers of naked people in public places. The documentary begins with Spencer being arrested in New York while he is photographing a group of people in Times Square. After being charged with aiding and abetting disorderly conduct, Spencer embarks upon his countrywide tour taking pictures of ordinary people posing nude in public in each of the fifty United States. The models featured in Spencer's shots are not paid but are provided with a print of the final shot. As Spencer continues his journey across the country it becomes clear that he might encounter some problems when trying to find models and locations. Included in the documentary are numerous interviews with Spencer's subjects discussing why they decided to pose for the artist and how the experience has changed their lives.
This is an interesting documentary that shows how one man was able to complete his vision and how his artworks were finally accepted by the public. What the documentary does not examine is America's attitudes towards nudity and the underlying reasons why Spencer's work is so controversial.
This documentary utilizes footage from a wide variety of sources ranging from 16mm film to consumer grade video camcorders. Consequently, the video quality displayed during the transfer does vary considerably.
The full frame transfer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.
The majority of the transfer is acceptably sharp throughout but a number of scenes are notably softer. These variations in sharpness are due to the original source material and are only slightly distracting to the viewer. During many of the dark scenes, relatively poor levels of shadow detail may be seen due to the source materials. Some low level noise may be seen during poorly lit scenes shot on video. An example of this problem may be seen at 34:34.
The transfer contains a combination of colour and black and white footage. During the black and white footage, the image displays a uniform greyscale throughout with no colouration present at any time. During the colour footage, the palette often appears to be slightly muted and slightly under-saturated. These variations in colour appear to be due to the original source material and are only slightly distracting to the viewer.
A number of minor MPEG artefacts may be seen during the transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 33:16, 35:29 and 60:18. These artefacts are slightly distracting to the viewer. Numerous aliasing artefacts may be seen throughout the transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 2:36, 5:14, 5:32, 6:38, 12:13, 17:09 and 47:07. These artefacts are moderately distracting. A number of minor film artefacts may be seen during the transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 13:04, 22:56, 23:10, 54:49 and 77:33. All of these artefacts are very minor.
A small number of NTSC to PAL conversion artefacts may be seen during the transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 0:17, 7:08 and 52:38. These artefacts are only minimally distracting. A number of analogue tape errors may be seen during the transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 33:16, 35:29 and 60:18. Each of these artefacts only last for one or two frames and they are only minimally distracting.
No subtitles are provided on this disc.
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The dialogue is always clear and easy to understand at all times. No dropouts or problems with audio sync were detected at any time during the transfer.
The original music provided by Chris Hajian and various other musical tracks are used minimally during the transfer but when they are used they always complement the on-screen action.
The surround and subwoofer channels were not utilized during the transfer.
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The non-animated menu is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.
This profile is a short single page biography for the artist Spencer Tunic. Also included in this section is a four page listing of exhibitions and performances by the artist.
All trailers are accessed by selecting the Madman logo on the main menu.
This trailer is presented with a French Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and it is not 16x9 enhanced.
This trailer is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.
This trailer is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and it is not 16x9 enhanced.
This trailer is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and it is not 16x9 enhanced.
This trailer is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and it is not 16x9 enhanced.
This trailer is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and it is not 16x9 enhanced.
This trailer is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.
There is censorship information available for this title. Click here to read it (a new window will open). WARNING: Often these entries contain MAJOR plot spoilers.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The Region 4 version of this disc misses out on;
The Region 1 version of this disc misses out on;
The region 1 version of this disc contains a fifteen minute featurette, photo gallery and two short biographies but as the R1 release has a running time of approximately eight minuets less it would appear to be cut in some way. Until I am able to determine the nature of the cuts on the R1 release I am unable to determine the version of choice.
Naked States is an interesting documentary that will appeal to any fan of the artist or his work.
The video transfer for this documentary is slightly disappointing but it is let down by the original source materials.
The basic 2.0 soundtrack is adequate for the material presented.
The very minimal extras included could have been supplemented with a collection of Spencer's work.
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| Review Equipment | |
| DVD | Toshiba 2109, using S-Video output |
| Display | Sony KP-E41SN11. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
| Audio Decoder | Built in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
| Amplification | Front left/right: ME75b; Center: DA50ES; rear left/right: DA50ES; subwoofer: NAD 2600 (Bridged) |
| Speakers | Front left/right: VAF DC-X; Center: VAF DC-6; rear left/right: VAF DC-7; subwoofer: Custom NHT-1259 |