Eastern European animation has remained quite obscure over the years, with few works getting international releases. That is why it's a treat when companies go out of their way to procure and restore these hidden gems, ensuring that future audiences can see and enjoy them. Deaf Crocodile, in conjunction with Vinegar Syndrome, has released an outstanding set for Delta Space Mission (1984), a Romanian sci-fi freakout with some of the trippiest visuals since Fantastic Planet (1973).
Delta Space Mission takes place in the year 3084, and man has conquered space travel. The big news is that there is a snazzy giant spaceship piloted by a self-aware super computer named Delta. This attracts the attention of Alma, a green-skinned alien journalist, who flies in on her tiny little ship (that looks suspiciously like Opa-Opa from the Sega game Fantasy Zone). Alma is instantly entranced by Delta's appearance as it is shaped like a giant diamond, and she remarks favorably on its beauty. Delta immediately develops a crush on Alma, and will stop at nothing to possess her, stalking her as she travels around the cosmos to conduction her investigative reports.
The exposition is front loaded into the first fifteen minutes of the film and after that it seems like an afterthought in favor of surreal visuals and action set-pieces. Much of the story is told visually, with extended sequences that have very little dialogue. The early '80s aesthetic is in full force with bright colors and angular Space Invader style blocky creature designs, and retro-futuristic ships that are highly reminiscent of Galaga. Delta has the ability to create organic monsters from materials on the planet to include beasts made out of water or an unsettling spider creature composed of electrical posts. It's all very creative and engaging, and it's set to a super funky synth soundtrack by composer Calin Ioachimescu.
Most people are going to compare the themes of this film to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) as they both feature a computer AI gone rogue, but Delta Space Mission has a more emotional appeal as Delta is just trying to wrap its head around what it means to love someone--essentially overwhelmed by the depth and complexity of human emotion. It's more sad and whimsical than Kubrick's cold and calculated take on the same subject.
Delta Space Mission is a must watch for anyone who loves animation in general, but especially for those who enjoy retro offerings and have exhausted all of the more popular entries in the medium.
Transfer: The 4K scan for this film is immaculate, and cel-animation in particular is gorgeous in HD. The colors are bright and saturated and there is very little judder that can sometimes creep in with older animation transfers. Beautiful job by Deaf Crocodile.
Extras: Standouts include Stephen R. Bissette's informative booklet essay on the history of the production of the animation, and Kat Ellinger's fascinating full-length commentary that utilizes her extensive knowledge of Eastern European cinema to provide context to the themes of the film.
Blu-Ray Extras:
•
New 4K scan of DELTA SPACE MISSION from the original camera negative by
the Romanian Film Archive and CNC – Romanian Film Centre, with digital
restoration by Craig Rogers of Deaf Crocodile Films
• Region A Blu-ray
• New interview with DELTA SPACE MISSION co-director Călin Cazan (40 min., in English)
•
Two newly restored episodes from the DELTA SPACE MISSION short film
series: “Planeta Oceanelor / The Planet of the Oceans” (1980, 7 min.)
and “Recuperare ratata / Failed Towing” (1981, 7 min.), both directed by
Victor Antonescu
• New commentary track by Kat Ellinger, author, film critic and editor-in-chief for Diabolique magazine
• New booklet essay by comics artist, editor and publisher Stephen R. Bissette (Swamp Thing)
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles
--Michelle Kisner