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First, the Recap:
Experiencing the ungratified, untroubled life. Isn’t it the dream of every person that where we’ve found ourselves residing, both physically and mentally, has become the ideal place to be, free of any strife and knowing unfettered, unhindered joy and peace? Perhaps these places do exist, but to actually discover them remains an elusive thing, for even if we believe the oasis of perfection has been made real, does there not remain an innate restlessness that our surroundings seem to bring about? On the island of Crete, Marinos goes about his way, having solace yet realizing that he is likewise unsettled, his thoughts constantly on the vast sea that surrounds him, an element he is both in love with, yet tortured by within. For what beauty it holds, it also keeps him captured within its scope, causing Marinos to question his ever-changing notions about his life.
Next, my Mind:
The imaginative combination of abstract narrative paired with beautiful imagery is once again on full display thanks to the five and half minute animated short film project from director Karla Bauer, which had its screening recently at the 2nd Annual 2019 Berlin Illambra Experimental Film Festival housed at Salon AM Moritzplatz and hosted by Illambra. What continues to make these films so noteworthy despite the more obscure execution of their stories is the sheer amount of, what I feel anyway, inventiveness in form visually they choose to utilize in order to bring out the intention of concepts being presented. Here it is a wonderfully brush-stroked, well-crafted, painted style of animation, put into motion to display its purposes with both stark black and white and vibrant blues for the sea that serves as the primary backdrop for the tale being offered.
It’s a study in contrasts in itself, which therefore joins up perfectly with the account of one man’s internal state of mind when it comes to the sea he absolutely adores yet also fears, a portrait of serene stability and tempestuous imprisonment, an entity that is both friend and foe. Bathing him in its horizon-breaching depth, immensity, and shimmering splendor one moment, it turns and becomes the stuff of nightmare and overwhelming power that could swallow him up just as easily, and the flowing visualizations of this polarity are artistically communicated throughout the film’s highly abbreviated runtime, still carrying the potent weight Bauer desires with a striking impact when, as the viewer, you being to open yourself up to what is being portrayed.
The film speaks to our human tendency to pursue that almost Eden-esque state of contentment, a total liberation that would see us free of anything causing us unease. Yet, as we all know from our own lives, there will always be the things that challenge us arising, upending our peace and sending us into a state of emotional flux as we then strive to ascertain exactly how we feel about where we’re at within our own minds, a path undefined yet clear, blurred yet lucid, at ease yet disquieted. Additionally, what aids in creating the necessary emotive state the story engenders is the highly eclectic but equally effective underlying music score from composer Andreas Steffens that delivers an atmospheric and surrealistic sonic landscape that accompanies the imagery wonderfully throughout.
In total, “Marinos” is certainly the style of film that befits BIEFF and the foundational theme of “Below The Surface” the festival’s organizers went for. But, for this critic, I think its more a hope that for the audience that had the opportunity to screen this at the festival, will there be a push from them to share about it with other cinephiles so that truly experimental films like this can begin to be given a chance by perhaps even mainstream filmgoers to come TO the surface and gain the kind of exposure they deserve. In doing so, more people can potentially come to appreciate the total art form that is filmmaking and all the unconventional ways it can be presented.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
