So this probably wont be for the those sci-fi fans, of which I am, but, it still delivered the goods as a compelling somber sci-fi with a deep-themed morality story about the deadly consequences of human behavior, and it was done so well, I really enjoyed it.
This is Austrian novice-filmmaker Magdalena Lauritsch's first full length feature film debut as co-writer (with novice writer Jessica Lind), and director, with only three prior short films. For an international low budget B-film from novice filmmakers, this was breathtakingly shot and directed, with a story that had constant tension and suspense.
I'm not a fan of slow paced films, and at 110 mins long, it should've been cut down to around 90 minutes, but nevertheless, the story was told very well and very cohesively. The cinematography was perfection, and the visual effects and sets were stunning. The score was absolute perfection, especially considering it's a B-film. Casting and performances by all were spot-on and convincing.
Aside from the slow pacing and long length, this film was otherwise near perfect. Sure I would've liked some more "sci" in the "fi", but as entertaining as that would've been, it may have taken away from the theme Lauritsch wanted to tell her story. For me, this rarely works, but she managed to pull it off, because I usually either walk out, fast forward or end watching slow and/or long films, and I stayed eyes wide-open until the ending, of which some may say was incomplete, but I say it was perfect. In a genius sort of way, the last minute of the film is deep and says a lot more than what it doesn't say, so mad props to Lauritsch and Lind for closing it off that way.
It's too bad the critics went hard on this one - it has almost every component that defines a great film, and I appreciated it that much more considering this was put together by new filmmakers on a tight budget. I hope that Lauritsch and Lind's ending that may have left an open window to a Part 2, comes to fruition. It's a well deserved 8/10 from me.
This is Austrian novice-filmmaker Magdalena Lauritsch's first full length feature film debut as co-writer (with novice writer Jessica Lind), and director, with only three prior short films. For an international low budget B-film from novice filmmakers, this was breathtakingly shot and directed, with a story that had constant tension and suspense.
I'm not a fan of slow paced films, and at 110 mins long, it should've been cut down to around 90 minutes, but nevertheless, the story was told very well and very cohesively. The cinematography was perfection, and the visual effects and sets were stunning. The score was absolute perfection, especially considering it's a B-film. Casting and performances by all were spot-on and convincing.
Aside from the slow pacing and long length, this film was otherwise near perfect. Sure I would've liked some more "sci" in the "fi", but as entertaining as that would've been, it may have taken away from the theme Lauritsch wanted to tell her story. For me, this rarely works, but she managed to pull it off, because I usually either walk out, fast forward or end watching slow and/or long films, and I stayed eyes wide-open until the ending, of which some may say was incomplete, but I say it was perfect. In a genius sort of way, the last minute of the film is deep and says a lot more than what it doesn't say, so mad props to Lauritsch and Lind for closing it off that way.
It's too bad the critics went hard on this one - it has almost every component that defines a great film, and I appreciated it that much more considering this was put together by new filmmakers on a tight budget. I hope that Lauritsch and Lind's ending that may have left an open window to a Part 2, comes to fruition. It's a well deserved 8/10 from me.