Saw this film at the London Film Festival. It's actually part of the Zentropa Omnibus "Visions of Europe". The title probably alludes to Bocklin's Isle of the Dead paintings, which make a fleeting appearance towards the beginning of the film and which are echoed in the mise-en-scene. Deliciously dark, reeks of death, but far too cryptic: not sure I really understood what the director was trying to say. But then again, perhaps 5 min is too short a time to build a proper story structure, and it's all so beautifully shot! Later found a review in Time Out, which called it a "pleasingly cheeky surprise!" (how's that for another cryptic comment?!)
2 Reviews
Great Effort!
ors17 March 2007
Really good. Especially considering that the film is only a few minutes long and the budget so small.
Very decent acting from largely non professionals. Yes, it is dark and creepy at times. The director tries to go deep into what contemporary Malta can be like. That is: a place of hidden secrets, hypocrisy and repression(especially sexual). So though somethings have changed, too many things are too often the same as before. The director's scenes and props in fact could belong to 70 years ago. But it is really about today.
Hope this director really goes for it, as I really think he is very capable of being a top director in the European mode.
Very decent acting from largely non professionals. Yes, it is dark and creepy at times. The director tries to go deep into what contemporary Malta can be like. That is: a place of hidden secrets, hypocrisy and repression(especially sexual). So though somethings have changed, too many things are too often the same as before. The director's scenes and props in fact could belong to 70 years ago. But it is really about today.
Hope this director really goes for it, as I really think he is very capable of being a top director in the European mode.
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