Naked (1993) Criterion 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

A scathing look at Britain in the post-Thatcher era, Mike Leigh's Naked stars David Thewlis as Johnny, an unemployed layabout with a philosophical bent and a nasty edge. In the opening scene, he's committing rape, and before the credits even roll, he's also stolen a car to flee from Manchester to the London home of an old girlfriend (Lesley Sharp). The film's loose, sprawling narrative follows Johnny as he randomly makes his way through the streets of London, encountering a homeless Scottish couple, a nightwatchman and a series of women whom he charms and discards. He lives defiantly outside of the system, refusing to conform to the demands of anyone (including himself).


Extras

• The Art Zone:"The Conversation" - A fascinating conversation between novelist Will Self and director Mike Leigh, filmed in March 2000 for the BBC program The Art Zone. The British director addresses the main characters in Naked, the wide range of emotions witnessed in the film, the socio-political climate in Britain before and after the film was made, the universal themes in the film, its production history, etc. (37 min, 720p).

• Neil Labute on Naked - In this video interview, recorded exclusively for Criterion in Vancouver in 2005, filmmaker Neil LaBute (Possession, The Wicker Man) deconstructs Mike Leigh's Naked. (13 min, 720p).

• The Short and Curlies - David Thewlis and Alison Steadman star in this 1987 short comedy by Mike Leigh about a chatty hairdresser whose client falls for a young man who communicates only through one-liners. The film features commentary by Mike Leigh. (18 min, 720p).

• Trailer - Original trailer for Naked. (2 min, 720p).

• Commentary - This is the same audio commentary with director Mike Leigh and actors David Thewlis and Katrin Cartlidge that appears on the Criterion SDVD release of Naked. It was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 1994.