Damnation is as well filmed a movie as I've ever seen. This is the first movie I've seen by Hungarian director Béla Tarr, and likely not the last.The film begins with what could very well be my favorite opening shot ever, showing what appears to be a ski lift, only for the camera to very, very slowly zoom out and reveal an interior space inhabited by the films characters (having seen this a few weeks ago, I can't actually remember who shows up in the first scene, but that probably isn't important).
Not too far into the movie is a musical scene reminiscent of some of David Lynch's greatest work (think of the musical numbers in Eraserhead or Mulholland Drive); it's absolutely hypnotizing. I remember thinking while watching, I hope this song never ends.
That, in itself, is an apt description of the film. It's pace, which may be considered slow by a snail with a limp, helps provide a mesmerizing feeling. I got completely lost in this film, at certain points I completely forgot that I was even watching a movie.
The story in Damnation is pretty minimal. The protagonist struggles with sanity as he tries to rekindle a past romance with an unwilling female, portrayed here rather hauntingly. The protagonist finds a way to get the woman's husband to leave town as he makes attempts to reconnect with her, and the film progresses from there to the final, depressing outcome.
This movie may require a bit of patience for most viewers. It's not too long of a movie, but it certainly doesn't fly by. Certainly a movie I need to see again, and one you should see for the first time, dear reader (assuming you exist)!
Again. I think I'll have to look for this one. Any idea where you can find these movies? Like Hastings, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteNetflix is unfortunately the only place I know to find them.
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