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  • Film & TV Moderators: ghostfreak

Film: 2:37

(Wordy)

Moderator: BAD
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This was the opening film at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival.

I just saw it last night. Set in an Australian high school (in Adelaide), it threads the respective days of several high school students, interspersed with 'interview' footage (presumably with the school counsellor, but this isn't made clear). The film begins with what appears to be a suicide, although it's not clear who is involved, and the audience is kept guessing until the very end. 2:37 covers a plethora of teen issues, thereby hinting that any number of characters may have suicidal wishes. The film relies on this device for much of its suspense and gravitas. On the whole all of this is handled expertly by 22-year-old screenwriter / director Murali K Thalluri.

Critics have drawn comparisons with Gus Van Sant's Elephant (which I haven't seen). It's certainly harrowing and hard-hitting... in fact, maybe it went a little too far in trying to be hard-hitting, but this is excusable when one considers that Thalluri was inspired to make the film after witnessing the (filmed) suicide of one of his friends. And there's plenty to admire: great script, sound, cinematography. I'd recommend it.

Has anyone else seen it?
 
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haven't seen it but saw an interview with the writer/director. After the friends suicide and being stabbed in the eye, he attempted suicide and failed. The day after he was released from hospital he wrote the screenplay in less than 48 hours and now claims the film saved his life.

interesting. hopefully the film has the substance you mention.
 
yeah I saw a news story on this movie... i really want to see it. I heard it opened at Cannes tho? anywayz, melbourne movies please keep coming... i wanna make one one day.

ohohoh... and wordy, your missing out man, "Elephant" is fkn brilliant... Hell Gus Van Sant is brilliant, see anything by him :D "Gerry" by Gus was fkn cool too, but be in the open minded/willing to analyse mood.
 
Trailer

knight_marshall said:
I heard it opened at Cannes tho?

Yeah, that's right.

Elephant is definitely right up there on my "must watch" list...

be in the open minded/willing to analyse mood.

That's pretty much my regular state, so shouldn't be a problem. ;)
 
sometimes i just cbf... and want to watch an action movie. Elephant can be watched either way... Gerry... well, there's just so little dialogue that it's not like you have to pay attention, but you get so much more if you do. of course that's probably a universal truth :P

sorry to go all off topic like this, but I just love Gus Van Sant soooo much... his use of not jumping around to a hundred camera angles and instead just sticking with one... awww it just brings so much more life to characters. what's that called anyway? one camera shot...?
 
Wordy, now that i've seen it, i can appreciate your review. I couldn't've said it better myself.

But i think that it really does try to be far too hard hitting.

Granting this, as you mentioned, it weaves the stories of several students, and i think it does it quite well. It's clever in it's construction.

The greatest appeal for me were the sound designs. There are constant surreal background sounds that don't literally fit in with what you're seeing, as well as many David Lynchian synthesised noises, at times completely on top of other music, which successfully communicates an ominous overtone.

This director is someone i will look out for, cuz he's got a nice style. I only hope he can keep up such creative pace with subjects other than this one which is so close to home.
 
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L2R said:
The greatest appeal for me were the sound designs. There are constant surreal background sounds that don't literally fit in with what you're seeing, as well as many David Lynchian synthesised noises, at times completely on top of other music, which successfully communicates an ominous overtone.

Agreed... the sound design is breathtaking.
 
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