For those who found the above comment somewhat unhelpful (it jumps the gun a bit and discusses the points raised by the film as opposed to the film itself), and since there's no plot outline to speak of, I'll elaborate further. Tag 26 (translated as Day 26) is former Playstation artist Andreas Samland's third film, an under-budgeted 7000 Euro project for his film-making course. I don't see this film as a sci-fi; although it does contain sci-fi elements, I think it's more of an observation of the differences between scientific reason and human togetherness.
The short film follows two unnamed characters as they travel a visually undisturbed post-apocalyptic country, following the static on their car radio for signs of life. Wearing gas masks and burdened by their cumbersome rubber suits, they hardly ever speak and communicate mostly through hand gestures. Along the way, the two find a farm, and search it whilst they quietly pillage any useful materials. Inside is a deceased couple, and one of the main characters takes some of their photographs to keep in a makeshift scrapbook he has made of events since this unseen and unspoken of biological disaster. On his exit from the house, he tears his suit. Measures are taken by his colleague to try and remedy the potential infection, but it is too late. The man disrobes his mask and suit and goes quietly out to the trees to suffer a slow death.
I thought this movie was excellent. It has been said that this runs like an introduction to a much longer film, but Samland has said that "that would just make it longer and not better". I was constantly questioning what biological event had occurred (something in the air, I reckon) and why the two main characters were prepared for this disaster with their suits, masks and equipment, but these questions soon pale once they reach the farm. The deceased couple, peaceful in their bed, serve as a sinister contrast to the terrible act that has left them that way, and the mementos taken incorporate a sadly human element to a world looked at with such a clinical eye. This human element is really drawn out by the scene of the two characters at the end, facing each other underneath the tree.
I caught this film at a very late hour on TV, and was surprised by its quality. The acting is superb considering the limitations of the suits/masks, it has many beautifully composed shots, and the events in the film throw up many social questions. It is similar in theme and style to Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker, but falls short of the impact that film had on me. Definitely worth checking out if you can.
The short film follows two unnamed characters as they travel a visually undisturbed post-apocalyptic country, following the static on their car radio for signs of life. Wearing gas masks and burdened by their cumbersome rubber suits, they hardly ever speak and communicate mostly through hand gestures. Along the way, the two find a farm, and search it whilst they quietly pillage any useful materials. Inside is a deceased couple, and one of the main characters takes some of their photographs to keep in a makeshift scrapbook he has made of events since this unseen and unspoken of biological disaster. On his exit from the house, he tears his suit. Measures are taken by his colleague to try and remedy the potential infection, but it is too late. The man disrobes his mask and suit and goes quietly out to the trees to suffer a slow death.
I thought this movie was excellent. It has been said that this runs like an introduction to a much longer film, but Samland has said that "that would just make it longer and not better". I was constantly questioning what biological event had occurred (something in the air, I reckon) and why the two main characters were prepared for this disaster with their suits, masks and equipment, but these questions soon pale once they reach the farm. The deceased couple, peaceful in their bed, serve as a sinister contrast to the terrible act that has left them that way, and the mementos taken incorporate a sadly human element to a world looked at with such a clinical eye. This human element is really drawn out by the scene of the two characters at the end, facing each other underneath the tree.
I caught this film at a very late hour on TV, and was surprised by its quality. The acting is superb considering the limitations of the suits/masks, it has many beautifully composed shots, and the events in the film throw up many social questions. It is similar in theme and style to Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker, but falls short of the impact that film had on me. Definitely worth checking out if you can.
