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WATCH THE FILM HERE with all proceeds going to the filmmakers!
First, the Recap:
And so it begins. The start of life in a great big world. There are so many factors which determine how we will ultimately interact with the reality around us, external forces a part of what we move about in daily vs. the inner dilemmas we struggle to hold in or otherwise fight to be master over. Such is the essence of who we are. There is a woman who stands firm to her place in this realm, walking the paths before her, filled with dreams and desires longing to be fulfilled. But there looms in pursuit a shadowy figure that symbolizes perhaps the pain she feels, doggedly at her back, forcing her to keep moving forward, frenetic and alone. The question, however, is what is this figure’s actual intent, and is it the ominous omen she might believe, or maybe just a herald to new emergence?
Next, my Mind:
Screened at the 2020 Berlin Revolution Film Festival, this 9-minute short film from director Davide Canali carries a definitively empirical approach to its existential leanings, fitting itself perfectly and unequivocally into the experimental narrative category to boot, while also presenting a highly unconventional and surreal picture of being human and the experiences that it entails as it applies to the very notion of us being alive and finding our place in the world. To say the least, it won’t necessarily be a film for everyone, but mind you, I don’t remotely consider this a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.
The very definition and purpose for me in loving indie cinema is to BE stretched as a filmgoer and have a willingness to be open to all the forms it can take. This style of more “out there” or obscure narrative, especially one that relies solely on its visuals to deliver its objectives, is the precise reason to me why independent filmmakers need more attention, as forbid someone comes up with something that is, yes, a tad perplexing, yet at the same time, strangely engaging and causes you to actually have to THINK about its meanings, even to the extent of then applying the concepts to your own views of this thing we call life.
Here, I believe the hidden genius ends up being through the film’s finale, which grants us a fundamental lesson that navigates our oft experienced panic that ensues when it comes to the unknown, being faced with it, hurried and unsure, desperate for the right direction to go. Yet, do we end up finding said direction, or just surrender to the “loss” we feel when not feeling like we ever will? Do we open ourselves up to others, or choose to suffer alone? Do we then cringe in terror at what we don’t wish to face even as it comes closer and closer, eerie and haunting, a torment?
Or do we take a chance, a leap of faith, instead to expose it and find a release and freedom, seeing that it might not be so scary after all? All of the images and actions the woman takes leading up those final moments, the contemplations and confusions, lead up to what is encapsulated above, and it really is a rich and satisfying ending that speaks volumes to our humanity, at least in this critic’s opinion. The black and white cinematography really aids in creating the ambiance intended, that underlying idea of menace, even in “calmer” moments the woman goes through. The costuming for her tormentor is both unique yet familiar. Watch the film to understand.
There were no direct credits for the two primary actors, one playing the woman and the other her oppressor, so I won’t be able to necessarily go into the kind of detail about them that I might normally. However, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the actress does a wonderful job in portraying the film’s protagonist, a woman simply aiming to find her place in life, exploring what she feels while also having to face the figure pursuing her whom she is afraid of. Likewise, the actor playing the presence who’s following her does an equally solid job at providing the needed air of unease through the dark character, who may or may not be as evil or villainous as it appears.
In total, “Cyclamen” is that statement about human life, our frailties, our passions, and our need to pursue the avenues that will provide us the answers we seek. Even if it manages to give you pause as the viewer and look at your existence from a totally different perspective, then I feel this film has done its job.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
