The Decameron

The BFI's latest Pasolini Blu Ray release is disappointing due to a transfer that has been heavily affected by poor quality noise/grain filtering. This filtering not only diminishes fine details but also adds unsightly noise throughout the film. The use of edge enhancement halos on high contrast edges further detracts from the overall viewing experience. It is surprising that in 2009, the BFI would release such transfers that would have been considered objectionable even five years ago. As an institute dedicated to film, it is important for the BFI to remember its own name and prioritize maintaining the authentic film look when utilizing the capabilities of Blu Ray technology. Unfortunately, this particular Blu Ray fails to showcase the true essence of film and instead presents an overprocessed video image.