Call for Dreams (2018) User Reviews

Akin to abstract art...any evaluation is bound to be highly subjective....

[KFL · 6/10 · 26 February 2020]

Ah well. In the midst of all the enthusiastic reviews here, it falls to me to be the wet blanket.

I would not say that Call for Dreams was a waste of my time: it was entertaining, on its own terms. But the pseudo-intellectual aphorisms are largely nonsensical (the notion of a "dream dreaming a dreamer" is incoherent); the lead actress delivers her lines in bloodless monotones; much of the "Tokyo" we are shown (and where I used to live) is highly unrepresentative; and the Japanese spoken by the Israeli fellow near the end is largely incomprehensible. Among other flaws.

Events bear little relation to each other, but in an abstract work of art, that need not be regarded as a defect. And as others note, many of the shots are fairly stunning.

We were looking for something out of the ordinary to watch this evening, and in this we were not disappointed.

Must-watch film is you love psychological drama

[darren-63047 · 7/10 · 6 July 2020]

Call for Dreams is a mystery crime drama written and directed by Ran Slavin. The main concept of this film was about the interpretation of dreams. Eko publishes an ad and then goes to those that have called her for her work. But everything starts to get complicated when dreams and reality cannot be told apart. Moreover, the film is made in such a way that it blends both of these worlds into one single narrative. You can enjoy a distorted dreamlike experience from this film. The visuals are spectacular which also matches the surrealistic storyline. The camera works, editing, lightings along with the neon-lit Tokyo gave the film a blade runner vibe. The soundtrack with electronic score and special effects were also quite good. The whole film was well crafted like a piece of art. This film makes a unique impact on the audience just like Shutter Island, Inception or David Lynch's Twin Peaks. For an indie film, it is a must-watch film if you love psychological drama.

Dreamers can be psychotic

[MayhemFilmKreations · 5 December 2019]

Beautifully shot in Tokyo, Japan 'A Call for Dreams' is a psychological intriguing thriller. I enjoyed this film. A total trip out. I definitely can't wait to see more work from Ran Slavin! Cheers to the cast and crew!

Meaningless garbage

[mister_bateman · 3/10 · 8 April 2020]

This movie is utterly hollow and meaningless. It's like a pseudo-deep art school project with an expensive polish. It looks good, but it doesn't touch you in any way. Just a random sequence of nonsensical scenes that leave you thoroughly uninterested and probably wanting your time back.

A Psychologically Disruptive Masterpiece

[TheAll-SeeingI · 10/10 · 7 November 2019]

With its darkly rich and nocturnal color palate, and its incorporation of Tokyo's most spectral man-made monoliths, the remarkable and shockingly immersive "Call For Dreams" is a rare sensory mindscape in which the lines between the conscious and unconscious are very intentionally and disruptively obliterated. This isn't so much a traditional three-act film as it is a visually and sonically-induced psychological attack of the most subversive and surrealist kind, and one that probably should be accompanied by a warning label -- it's no hyperbole to state that allowing one's self to become enveloped in "Call For Dreams" plays on the head in a way that takes a full day to shake as we reacclimate to life's more grounded, pedestrian normalcies.

Eko (Mami Shimazaki) is a creature of the night. Her downtown Tokyo is one in which the blacks collide with radiating neons soaked by relentless assaults of rain. On one darkly glowing evening, Eko rings up a Tokyo newspaper to place a vague yet alluring ad: "Call For Dreams" is its enticing directive. Soon, Tokyo's dream-afflicted are leaving messages on her tape-based answering machine in which they recount their recurring nightscapes. Eko's provided service is dream reenactment: Like a call girl minus the provision of sex, she travels by scooter to appointments. At one location, a man has repeatedly dreamed of shooting a woman with four bullets; elsewhere, a woman has dreamed herself as a passenger on a plane consumed by a visceral fog. Shimazaki quietly conjures an elite performance: Like a call girl, Eko is at once submissive -- a subject to the defined parameters of a given client's dream. Yet she's also commanding in her wordless leadership of their reenactments; a window through which her clients seek an awakened understanding of their own subconscious experiences. As we watch it all unfold, director Ran Slavin without clear announcement dissolves the sinewy connective tissue between wakened realities and the dream state itself. It's an insidious and shifting line that melts completely as Eko's reenactments submerge into the watercolors of a murder investigation in far-off Tel Aviv: The insinuation is that she's triggered some ethereal crossing of the threshold between the dreams she reenacts and our connected, consciously-lived world.

Very intentionally, Slavin avoids chiseled conclusions and the neat gift-wrapping of plot payouts in "Call For Dreams." Its ambition forbids it, as it aspires instead to install a portal between two states of consciousness, and with a door that swings both ways. This is a truly unique and aspirational film, drenched in gorgeous atmospherics, and it's ultimately one to be digested with careful intent. "Does the dreamer dream the dream, or does the dream dream the dreamer?" - (Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!)

Fresh, honest, thought-provoking

[JCanni68 · 9/10 · 10 April 2020]

A fascinating, thought-provoking film on the exploration of dreams and their parallels to reality. The film is compelling throughout, moving at a steady pace. But it is the visuals that are most impressive, reminiscent of Blade Runner, on an acid trip. The originality and intriguing nature of the film will keep you engaged through a satisfying journey that draws comparisons to Inception.

David Lynch eat your heart out

[mrdigital13 · 9/10 · 16 April 2020]

What can be said about a film that takes all the elements of a fever dream, visually pokes your eyes out and then leaves you with a sense of unease wondering if it was a dream or reality? A little of both? "The dream dreaming the dreamer?" Anyway you slice it, Call For Dreams is a visual masterpiece. Color palates, editing choices, sound design, cityscapes, camera angles... This indie films ambition is overgrown - and damn proud of it! With tones of Lost Highway, Blue Velvet, Enter the Void and other cinematic nightmares, Ran Slavin's sophomore contribution to the world of heightened stimulated filmmaking is an insane look into the mind of a man who understand poetic cinema! If you LOVE David Lynch, Gasper Noe, and truly dizzying storytelling, then I highly recommend this film!

Wow!

[alanakmd · 9/10 · 6 November 2019]

This film was recommended to me by a friends, and I'm so glad I decided to watch it! Was a visually gorgeous film! The acting was flawless. The concept unique and intriguing. Big congrats to the filmmakers. Will be keeping my eye out for more of their work!

Incredibly Beautiful and Intriguing

[jen-696-345248 · 9/10 · 5 April 2020]

This is a finely crafted film. The imagery alone holds my attention and the concept is intriguing. The director, Ran Slavin, put out a call on social media for "dreams" and he used the stories he received as the basis for this film. He pulls it off beautifully. Gorgeous cinematography on every. single. shot. Call for Dreams is a sensory experience for the viewer. This is quality indie film making!

Edgy - visually, and mentally entertaining

[lbruhnca · 9/10 · 8 February 2020]

I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the life of Japanese people living in Tokyo while being drawn into this psychological story. It's one of those films that makes you think. The director did a great job depicting the unsettling atmospheres of the drama and suspense throughout the film. What's real, what's a dream, what are you looking for, what's going to happen next, are all thoughts I had throughout this film.

If Radiohead Made A Japanese Film

[angelina-541541 · 9/10 · 5 March 2020]

There were elements of this film that made me feel as though I was watching a classic Radiohead video...the footage of lights as the camera sped through tunnels, the somber mood music. I was hooked from the first scene. This film is very avant-garde and gorgeous to watch. I was mesmerized by the neon and the colors. The plot had many twists and turns, much like the opening scene. It's an experience...watch it.

A mind-blowing, visually stunning masterpiece

[carolineclarindajames · 10/10 · 9 January 2020]

Set in a nocturnal, rain-drenched, neon-lit Tokyo, Eko (Mami Shimazaki) places an advert in a newspaper, offering her services as a dream interpreter. Prospective clients simply need to call the number in the ad, leave a voicemail with a description of their dream and Eko "might get back to them" and re-enact the dream with the client. However, Eko finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation in Tel Aviv after a client leaves a message describing a dream in which he shoots a Japanese woman.

The film's main selling point is its cinematography. It is absolutely stunning. You could freeze-frame almost any shot from the film, and it would look incredible, with or without the film's context. I loved its atmosphere. Its synthy, electronic score felt faintly reminiscent of Cliff Martinez's work on Nicolas Winding Refn films such as Drive or The Neon Demon.

This film was directed by Ran Slavin and is his first feature length project. Ran Slavin is an Israeli multimedia artist; his works span video installations, original music compositions and photography. The biography on his website describes him as "one of the essential figures in the Israeli video art and sound scene since the early 90's". Slavin is clearly a name to look out for in Israeli film - as well as writing and directing Call for Dreams, he edited it, composed the score, created the visual effects (which were very impressive considering the independent nature of this project), worked as production designer and was one of the four cinematographers who filmed the project.

Overall, I thought Call for Dreams was a mesmerising, fascinating experience. If you are a fan of David Lynch films or Christopher Nolan's Inception, then you are in for a treat!

Definitely Delivers

[wjaywill · 9/10 · 20 April 2020]

I loved the way this film looked. It was beautifully shot and well lit. Without diving too much into the actual story, it is definitely a bit less traditional than most but I really enjoyed it. I am not sure if everyone would enjoy the film but I definitely think it is worth checking out.

A dark trip

[ueprod · 10/10 · 22 April 2020]

The title says all. The style of this film is unique and I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say it's worth a watch!

Visually stunning.

[harriscalvin-1 · 10/10 · 7 December 2019]

What a great visual concept film. Simiply stunning. Call For Dreams certainly does take the viewer on a mind bending journey that will truly capture the attention of the audience. The filmmaker along with his entire cast did a fantatic job. A must see film.

Terrific indie film

[craigahrens · 9/10 · 1 November 2019]

I really enjoyed this film! I loved the the way it was shot, the cinematography that is!! Director Ran Slavin does a wonderful job in presenting this story and keeping the viewer engaged. There were no slow parts for me with this film! The film moves along at a very good pace. All the acting was on point! I thought the film was very well cast and the actors all did a great job. I really enjoyed them, a lot! I highly recommend this film and this is an easy thumbs up for me!!

For those who prefer the Red Pill

[christina-06887 · 9/10 · 6 May 2020]

A visually stunning, surreal foray deep down the rabbit hole. Captivating, disorienting and occasionally unnerving. Overflowing with thought provoking symbolism that will leave you with considerably more questions than answers.

Like being in a dream.

[txnicole333 · 8/10 · 3 May 2020]

Very surreal mind-bending movie. You will have to read subtitles, but this movie is heavily visual so it is not too distracting. Unique and unsettling, like being in a dream.

A work of art!

[antoinepana · 9/10 · 5 May 2020]

More than a movie, watching call for dreams was a lot like being hypnotized by a beautiful, abstract painting in some museum. It's a truely poetic way to tell a story. And what a great visual style! Each shot is well thought out and lit. The dp did one hell of a job! There is a Blade Runner dreamy look that works perfectly with the story, and I also thought of Nicolas Winding Refn, especially Only God Forgives! But it definitely has its own touch.

A thriller that's worth the watch

[Goingpro12 · 9/10 · 29 April 2020]

This psychological thriller will not disappoint you. It kept me in the whole time. The writer and director did a good job with connecting everything and the actors were superb. The visuals were amazing also. Very good watch

unique and Beautiful

[frankenyolandi · 10/10 · 24 April 2020]

This film is really unique. The way it was shot and the visuals are simply stunning. The story is interesting, very suspenseful and well thought out. I can't say I have ever seen a film quite like this. I felt like I was mesmerized and transported to another world - just what you want when watching a film to "escape reality for a while". I absolutely loved it!

visually stunning dream filled escape thriller

[williamgway · 8/10 · 26 April 2020]

Wow, was not sure what to expect. But this movie delivered a wonderfully contemporary visual feast of film and story. As a viewer you are left wondering what is a dream and what is reality. It is a sensual bombardment. It is a visual feast that leaves you guessing what is coming next. Some of the scenes are award winning masterpieces. Worth a watch if you want something different. You won't be disappointed.

Here's your dream........on a screen.

[voitekpendrak · 9/10 · 21 May 2020]

If you ever had a fascinating dream that doesn't seem to really make sense after you wake up and then you keep thinking about it the whole day trying to understand it because it had some moments in it that you really feel should mean something to you.......then this is the on-screen representation of it. Bits and pieces, here and there, seem to gravitate towards one central point that doesn't want to stay in one place. It keeps moving until you stop applying your logic to it. I loved it. After a long and chaotic search among some big budget films on Netflix & Co that made me abandon those films after only 5 or 10 minutes, The "Call for Dreams" was like a fresh air to my desperate brain.

So worth watching. Congrats to the whole team.

Surrealist voyage through dreams

[thejhorton · 26 April 2020]

Wonderfully shot this surrealist voyage through the mind is a great trip through two distinct worlds as Eko takes us through other people's dreams. The thriller elements work well and are very suspenseful. There's a a lot to love in this movie. Wonderful effort.

Innovative, Original, Cinematic

[GilbertS-85 · 9/10 · 29 April 2020]

Eko advertises a "Call For Dreams" in a newspaper and becomes connected to a parallel event in Tel Aviv, Israel, after a stranger answers her ad.

Call For Dreams is why movies are a unique medium in which editing and cinematography tell the story. Ran Slavin blends reality and dreams under the perfect setting of Tokyo Blade Runner-esk cityscapes and vivid, perfectly composed interiors. Call For Dreams belongs more in a modern Criterion Channel with its meaningful visual text, compelling sound design, sly humor, and innovative storytelling. It's a movie best seen in a theater and not at home, but until that day we must settle for our televisions and small screens.