Dreams, Washed Out (2018) User Reviews

Nice Story with an international content

[sricifari · 8/10 · 6 January 2019]

Love an passion in southern Italy. I painter and 2 travellers meet. I liked the ways the director used time, mixing present and past .... I found the animated section quite interesting and the music. The director looks at Italy with an interesting eye .... I wait to see her films to come

A young lady director for a ladies story

[arcoarco-70455 · 8/10 · 17 February 2019]

While most movies follow cliche to direct the story to a very specific audience, Dreams doesn't. While the Lai-Fu (a great Rosario Minardi) appears as the leading role, in fact Momo Yi Ching Lee uses him as a mirror for the women he tries to conquer. While Mei-Li likes danger and perhaps dangerous men she express bravery as she travels the world against all odds and finds ways to keep her curiosity intact, she doesn't surrender easily. My favorite scene is when she rejects having sex because it seems like a routine: tenderness then the bed. Even when she surrenders and finally makes love to Lai-Fu she is there but she is watching, as to ask herself: "is this what I really want? As the others reviewers point out the tempo, the mix of flash back and the present gives the movie an additional internal tempo. Momo Yi Ching Lee is someone to follow ....

An intelligent and unique indie film

[bessarabia · 10/10 · 13 March 2020]

This is unlike the standard-issue indie films I've seen. Highly recommended for anyone who's tired of bland, prosaic storytelling. The film radiates intelligence and defies the formulaic. Mei-Li is a fascinating heroine who's aware of her sexualization as a young, attractive Asian woman traveling in Italy. She chooses to explore the phenomenon with humor and ironic detachment. The film is enigmatic in a good way -- there's a lot of nuance in the characters' views of themselves and each other. It makes me want to see the film again, just to explore the things I might have missed first time around. The cinematography is gorgeous and the music is wonderful. I can't wait to see the director's next effort. She's clearly a director to watch!

A very stylish film

[louyi_tang · 9/10 · 14 March 2020]

The writer and director has her unique style and point of view in telling her story. There are many moments in the film that are very poetic and memorable. The director has a lot of talent in establishing her own style and voice.

a seamless impressionistic wonderland

[tdaschel · 10/10 · 28 March 2020]

What can I say about this elixir? It unfolds in *chapters*, like Joni Mitchell's HEJIRA (1976). And there is .. narrative congeniality with A. Kiarostami's LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE (2012) or Scorcese's short LIFE LESSONS (1989), but framed (largely) from the woman's POV (we are guessing this is .. Xiaolan Jiao's first film : she is remarkable ..). DREAMS, WASHED OUT is utterly gorgeous .. you truly can't take your eyes off its procession. Visual notes are reminiscent of A. Kurosawa's DREAMS (1990) and, holy smokes, the "Magic Theater" section of Fred Haines' STEPPENWOLF adaptation (1974). A film that cries to be widely seen !

A first worth to watch

[dchiana · 9/10 · 16 February 2019]

I don't know if the title gives justice to the story, this is the only point puzzling me while watching this film. While the Chinese MEI-LI seems to be looking for directions, I am not sure she has dreams, the English girl doesn't reveal any The dreamer is LAIFU, and the title probably refers to his lost dreams only. And this is what makes the story so interesting. How hard it is when you're middle age to find a new life. The camera work is very interesting and I loved the animated paintings Waiting for the next film ....

Nicest indy film

[dkeydm · 10/10 · 8 October 2019]

Henry meets these girl in a strange and mysterious city. I really enjoyed the story and already saw it twice. The man lead is a great actor playing a difficult role ( a selfish occasionally charming guy). The camera work and editing are first class .... nice job keep working on

beautifully crafted

[spintongues · 10/10 · 21 March 2020]

A beautifully crafted dreamscape, full of shadows, shades, angles, and colors. This is what cinema is for, to tell heartbreaking stories with twists and turns, and to present something we haven't seen before. This film is truly unique in this sense. Thank you.

A stunning film

[redlog · 10/10 · 14 March 2020]

A stunning film. The almost mask-like personae of the various odalisques, whose impassivity contrast so starkly with the worn and worried man through whose dreams they drift, is arresting. A very compelling film, disturbing, at times, and unnerving, and full of magical moments and a sense of mystery that makes film the stuff of dreams, good and bad, that it is.