DVD Corner

Drylongso Criterion Blu-ray Review

“Drylongso” will hopefully receive more attention thanks to this Criterion release. 

Set in Oakland, “Drylongso” (which means Ordinary in the Gullah language) revolves around two African American women named Pica and Tobi. Pica is a photography student working on a project about African American men dying at an alarming rate. Tobi is in  an abusive relationship and has opted to dress up as a man to avoid her former boyfriend and to protect herself from further harm. The two women’s lives cross paths and they become good friends despite some of the horrors that surround them in their community (including a Westside Slasher killer preying on people they know).

1998’s “Drylongso” may be one of the most obscure titles in the Criterion collection, but it’s one that is entirely worth discovering. Written and directed by Cauleen Smith (and co-written by Salim Akil), “Drylongso” is an indie film through and through. As low-budget and rough around the edges as it is, Smith has crafted a story that feels just as relevant now as it did 25 years ago in its exploration of themes about PTSD, violence, gender, loss, race, art, community, love, friendship and class. It may be about a time and a place, but it’s a deep, raw, intimate, emotional, and poignant piece that covers a lot of ground in its short 86 minute runtime. It’s a very down-to-earth story that depicts their “ordinary” everyday lives (and their community) through the darkness (the loss of lives and physical abuse) and the light (family, friendship, and art).

In addition to its deep subject matter, “Drylongso” is a captivating Black feminist story that really showcases an underrated voice in Black cinema with Cauleen Smith. Smith has spent many years making acclaimed shorts and experimental films, but this film shows she has a knack for feature length narrative films as well. Hopefully someday she will return to feature films (or perhaps even television?) as it’s clear she has a unique POV that needs to be much more present in the world of cinema. 

Toby Smith (Pica) and April Barnett (Tobi) may be relative unknowns with not a lot of credits to their names, but their performances here are really heartfelt and natural. They have great on screen chemistry together which really elevates the film as a whole.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it look? The 4K digital restoration may be overly grainy at times, but this restoration provides sharper image quality to be sure.

Audio Track: Uncompressed Mono. How does it sound? The audio track will not receive any awards, but it’s solid nonetheless.

Extras:
* Trailer
* A booklet with an essay by film scholar Yasmina Price/fold-out poster
* A newly recorded 25 minute conversation between director Cauleen Smith and film scholar Michael B. Gillespie. Discussions range from how the project came about, inspirations, various aspects of “Drylongso” and its production, and more.
* 6 experimental short films by Cauleen Smith (and an introduction) that include “Chronicles Of A Lying Spirit By Kelly Gabron,” “Songs For Earth And Folk,” “Lessons In Semaphore,” “Egungun (Ancestor Can’t Find Me), “Remote Viewing,” and “Suffolk” (which is actually a music video).

August 19, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | 90's Movies, Black Cinema, Criterion Collection, Drylongso Criterion Blu-ray Review, Drylongso Movie, Indie Movie