CERTAIN KIND OF DEATH (DVD/ANAMORPHIC/STEREO) DVD

A Certain Kind of Death
While death is an eventuality we all must face, not everyone makes plans for their funeral arrangements before they pass on, and some people, left with no family and meager financial resources, simply don't have the money to make burial plans in advance. Others die in a manner that makes them difficult to identify, while the remains of a few are simply never claimed by family or friends. Documentary filmmakers Grover Babcock and Blue Hadaegh have taken a look at this little-examined side of the American way of death, and A Certain Kind of Death looks at the people in Los Angeles whose job is to deal with such matters -- police officers, morgue officials, and others who deal with the remains of the unknown or unwanted and explain the protocols of their work. A Certain Kind of Death was screened in competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast n/a

Crew Grover Babcock - Director Blue Hadaegh - Director Grover Babcock - Editor Blue Hadaegh - Editor Grover Babcock - Cinematographer Blue Hadaegh - Cinematographer Grover Babcock - Producer Blue Hadaegh - Producer Blue Hadaegh - Sound/Sound Designer Grover Babcock - Sound/Sound Designer Michael Kowalski - Supervising Sound Editor

A Certain Kind of Death
Directors Grover Babcock and Blue Hadaegh managed to find just the right tone for this expertly crafted documentary. Their matter of fact approach to the material allowed them to include moments of poignancy and humor without overdoing the pathos or irony; consequently, the film is affecting without seeming either heavy handed or smug. They were also wise to avoid frenetic camerawork in favor of carefully composed images and the judicious use of cutaways; they manage to make even the image of a water fountain help establish the proper mood. While the subject matter ensures that there are some unsettling moments in this film, it is not overtly gruesome or morbid. Indeed, this movie could be considered a paean to the professionalism of those who work in this unusual field. Even if you are not particularly interested in this topic, you may still want to consider seeing this fascinating motion picture, which won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. ~ Todd Kristel, All Movie Guide
 

Atlanta Film Festival, Best Documentary (tie) (winner) Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, In Competition (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: Additional Features: 16:9 anamorphic presentation Deleted scenes FAQs Trailer gallery Weblinks MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 70 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Crematory [3:59] 2. Reporting Desk [4:17] 3. Lots of Leads [4:50] 4. Next to Kin [5:01] 5. Scene Search [5:14] 6. Witness Statements [4:20] 7. Hotel Death [8:15] 8. Chapel By the Sea [6:29] 9. Personal Property Section [6:20] 10. County Morgue [8:32] 11. Ashes and Auctions [4:55] 12. After the Cremation [7:14]