Godless (2016) User Reviews

Dull, Slow and Depressing

[bobbygmt · 5/10 · 28 October 2018]

A dull, slow telling of a depressing, ugly story. The fact that it rings true to life does not make it any more palatable.

Like much of contemporary Bulgarian cinema the film dwells on issues dealing with the corrupt and cynical legacy of a post-communist state in which police, criminals and judiciary co-exist hand-in-glove to the detriment of ordinary people and society as a whole. There are however no redeeming features, no fulfilling outcome, just an ever darkening absence of innocence.

I am at a loss to understand the enthusiastic reception the film has enjoyed; was it the ever lingering long closeups of the main character, the expressionless acting, the uninspired cinematography or the slow linear storytelling that merited awards?

If you want a punchy, impactful and memorable film that deals with the same reality, I suggest you watch Glory (Slava) instead; it's dark but funny and refreshing in equal measures.

Bezbog

[nammage · 7/10 · 2 October 2018]

In the beginning in navigates between two parts. The first part is of a man hanging almost lifeless from a contraption asking for water and help, and two men driving off (those who put him there.) Then, it cuts to a woman named Gana (Irena Ivanova) who either runs or is an employee for a care service for the ederly. The woman steals ID cards and/or morphine from one of her clients. She gives the ID to her boyfriend who is a part of a gang, I believe.

It's quite monotonous after that but not in a particularly negative way. Its lack of composition makes the film feel constricting; in emotionality rather than technicality. The drab landscape and the wonderment of how the buildings are still standing in their gritty rundown texture. Reminded me of the ederly in the film, and also the character of Gana.

It moves quietly from one scene to the next. The sparse scenes of action/excitement move quietly, as well. The idea (whether my own or the filmmakers) of the morphine making one feel no pain (physically and perhaps emotionally) and given the stoicism of the Gana character, seemed apropos to, perhaps, the underlining social-political slant of the film.

It's not a perfect film, by any means, however I think the "quiet" worked. The inlook of 'switching hands' (changing government i.e. going from strict socialism/communism to a constitutional republic) but not really changing anything, at least not everywhere, and perhaps doing it 'cold turkey' without gradually switching over; such as with morphine or almost any addictive substance. Sometimes if you've been doing something for so long, it'll kill you if you stop instantly. I don't know. Maybe the film made my mind wander rather than that's its ultimate message. Either way...I enjoyed it for what it was.

48 minutes in there's a very explicit sexual scene that lasted a few seconds: I have no idea the point of that scene. There was another sex scene that proceeded it but it was minor and it actually played a role with the character of Gana but I just didn't get the other scene 48 minutes in.

Sublime debut feature by an accomplished story teller

[will-bloor · 10/10 · 30 January 2017]

This film has clearly divided people - like all good art should, but I am happy to say I am on the side of those who loved it.

This is a gritty tale, no doubt about it. But I found a grim black humour and a core pillar of redemption running throughout this film that I found inspiring.

The casting, of the characters particularly Irena Ivanova, was perfect. Her carefully observed stillness and expression held the narrative perfectly throughout.

The story itself was uncompromising, but I felt it left enough room for hope through redemption. In Godless redemption doesn't mean happily ever after, but perhaps that the world has a way of evening itself out.

10/10