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WATCH THE FILM HERE with all proceeds going to the filmmakers!
First, the Recap:
Unwind. De-stress. Repose. Loosen up. Isn’t that the state of being we’d all love to remain in every moment of every day, no matter what it is we’re engaged in? With the pressures this world places upon us (or WE place upon ourselves, let’s be honest here), the mere notion of finding any semblance of real, balanced solace always appears impossibly elusive. However, is it REALLY that far-fetched to think that we couldn’t find even a moment to slow down and just let go? To make it more of a challenge, try such a tranquil state of mind while keep your eyes open, yet putting yourself in the equivalent of let’s say a yoga studio or a Zen temple–quiet, no sound, no speaking, just yourself and your thoughts. It’s what fourteen people did. How did they feel about it? Well, you may never know!
Next, my Mind:
Let’s talk about shaking up the status quo when it comes to all the concepts out there that form what we know as film, its usual intentions, and the means by which it is executed so as to ideally entertain while perhaps carrying a message or moral worth ruminating over afterwards. With this particular nine and a half minute short that screened as part of the 2020 Berlin Revolution Film Festival, though, writer/director/producer Juhani Koivumäki took things in just a slightly different thematic and dramatic (??) creative direction via showcasing fourteen individuals of varying ages, races, and genders, placed them IN a meditation-style studio, and, well–let the contemplations begin.
With no audible sound and only the literal “portrait” of each participant highlighted by the camera’s unwavering eye, it is a study in the art of meditation with ones eyes wide open for the set period they were exposed to it all, a capturing of the very essence of each person’s demeanor and manner seen only in their faces, and a real illustration of subtlety in emotions as they simply sit and reflect on whatever it must be they each have to, well, reflect on. It is undeniably a calm sense of reality that is born out of this, even despite what almost feels like a voyeuristic atmosphere as we stare back at them while the camera lingers for a short time on each.
But, also contained within this serenity is the unique ability to try and ascertain through these faces what could be construed as varying degrees of personal engagement they individually could be experiencing–is there nervousness, mirth, indifference/apathy, a cockiness, or sometimes a “just go away, I’m trying to meditate!” feel amongst them? We don’t know, and its all supposition and conjecture, but it IS strangely satisfying to attempt such deliberations in order to find the entertainment quality from the effort while realizing that we ALL could actually use a quiet time like this FAR more than we might ever wish to admit. Life lesson presented here, eh?
As mentioned above, the only real sounds heard would be the breathing of each person as we come upon them, with a myriad of techniques for even that being displayed and/or employed throughout the exercise. This critic must give full credit to the following fourteen people who help make this film possible via their willingness to sit, calmly stare ahead, and hopefully maintain their composure and state of restful bliss: Aleksi Rantanen, John Millar, Katja Kiuru, Olli Sillanpaa, Jukka Siikala, Killa Keranen, Jaakko Autio, Ilari Hautamaki, Risto Hakulinen, Marika Yoki, Laura Dakini, Aapo Puhakka, Henri Yoki, and Krista Lagus. Additionally, there also needs to be mentioned the following children who make an appearance here: Hans Weman, Hilja Jaakkola, and Viljami Pasanen.
In total, “The Presence”, which is decidedly NOT a horror movie as its title might initially bring to mind, stands as a definitive journey into arthouse/experimental cinema that produces a provocation in us as the viewing audience to set aside all pre-conceived ideas about what to “expect” out of a film and express our own willingness to be open to something completely different. In doing so, we just might find there’s not only tangible artistic skill on display here, but also an experience that might just allow us to utterly relax right along with those we see on screen, maybe finding our own center of needed euphoria. Hmmm–might have to meditate on that.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
