This film, written and directed by Jane Spencer (The Ninth Cloud," "Little Noises") is filled with wonderful contradictions: abstract,yet concrete. Non linear, but straight as an arrow in its very compelling themes. Unconventional, but highly relatable. Science fiction, but not at all.
While it's anchored by three very talented, well-known American actors, Judd Nelson, Michael Madsen and Billy Baldwin, whose steely eyed villian is particularly good, it feels often like a European arthouse film. The European actors (standouts are Maximillian Presig as young Andrej and Gianin Loffler as Patrick) are Fellinesque as is Spencer's deft direction. Moments also seem like a Woody Allen film, when he was most adventurous with his quirky characters. At the heart of it all is Tanna Frederick as Denise, who might seem like a ball of confusion, but is rather the most sane voice in the film. The scenery and cinematography are beautiful, the music Is great (Donovan, Thunderclap Newman, Debussy, and more) and the special effects are pretty stunning. The color work is rich and the black & white scenes are riveting. And the shoes! Well, you'll have to see the film for that. Looks like Spencer can start a whole fashion trend. This is all like a fever dream. You have no idea where a scene will go next, but you will certainly want to be along for the journey. Spencer recently received an award for her work as a filmmaker from Producers Without Borders at the Venice Film Festival 2023 for "Auteur and Poetic Filmmaking." and there is truly no better way to describe this film than the terms "auteur" and "poetic filmaking." Buckle in for this unexpected, visually exciting, thematically provocative and wholly intriguing ride under the two glorious moons.
While it's anchored by three very talented, well-known American actors, Judd Nelson, Michael Madsen and Billy Baldwin, whose steely eyed villian is particularly good, it feels often like a European arthouse film. The European actors (standouts are Maximillian Presig as young Andrej and Gianin Loffler as Patrick) are Fellinesque as is Spencer's deft direction. Moments also seem like a Woody Allen film, when he was most adventurous with his quirky characters. At the heart of it all is Tanna Frederick as Denise, who might seem like a ball of confusion, but is rather the most sane voice in the film. The scenery and cinematography are beautiful, the music Is great (Donovan, Thunderclap Newman, Debussy, and more) and the special effects are pretty stunning. The color work is rich and the black & white scenes are riveting. And the shoes! Well, you'll have to see the film for that. Looks like Spencer can start a whole fashion trend. This is all like a fever dream. You have no idea where a scene will go next, but you will certainly want to be along for the journey. Spencer recently received an award for her work as a filmmaker from Producers Without Borders at the Venice Film Festival 2023 for "Auteur and Poetic Filmmaking." and there is truly no better way to describe this film than the terms "auteur" and "poetic filmaking." Buckle in for this unexpected, visually exciting, thematically provocative and wholly intriguing ride under the two glorious moons.