Brando with a Glass Eye

I had no idea what to expect, but the title and synopsis were intriguing enough to draw me to the theatre. It's honestly hard to believe this is a debut project. The film is finely crafted venturing out of text book approaches enough to keep you perpetually engaged but not so much as to be alienating. Great locations, subtle and interesting cinematography, clever script, committed performances and an overall edgy, and sometimes endearingly quirky, premise. I wish I could say even half of this for what comes out of Hollywood and the mainstream nowadays. This is the sort of creative endeavour we should be focusing our attention on instead of wasting it with mass consumer entertainment.

I absolutely love this film for its uniqueness, bravery, and the profound journey it offers to cinema and acting enthusiasts. This film stands apart from anything I've seen, inviting us on a wild and wacky journey that, if embraced, becomes a deeply rewarding experience. Its layers of complexity are both profound and captivating.

The film's narrative centers around Luca, a method actor in Athens with a burning passion and an undying dream to study Method Acting in New York. Faced with the challenge of funding his American dream, Luca, alongside his brother, daringly plots a heist. However, their plan spirals out of control when Luca accidentally shoots a passerby named Ilias. The plot thickens as Luca, ridden with guilt, visits Ilias in the trauma ward and forges a friendship, all while concealing his true identity. This unexpected bond between two starkly different individuals weaves an intricate and compelling story that unfolds-or rather, interlaces-before our eyes.

Antonis Tsonis, the Writer-Director, masterfully delves into the psychology and techniques of a method actor, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtains of this intense acting form. His direction brings to life the unseen intricacies of an actor's world, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats with anticipation.

I had the pleasure of experiencing this visually stunning masterpiece at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The big screen truly did justice to the film's aesthetic beauty and artistic composition.

Brando with a glass eye is not just a film; it's an exploration of the depths of acting and the human psyche. It's a must-see for anyone who appreciates the art of cinema, the complexity of character development, and the beauty of an unexpected friendship.

Slamdance FF 2024 Greetings again from the darkness. This story from writer-director Antonis Tsonis is based in Greece, where we find two brothers in dire need of funds. Luca (Yiannis Niarros) is a talented actor who has just received notice that he has been accepted into a prestigious method acting program based in New York City. He needs money for the trip, the tuition, and living expenses. Alekos (Kostas Nikoulis) has a dream of starting his own business. The two come up with the not-so-brilliant idea of a heist to secure the necessary funds.

Predictably, the heist goes bad for these two (previously) non-criminals, and in the ruckus, an innocent bystander gets shot in the stomach. The brothers manage to get away without being caught or identified. Already burdened with the guilt of his mother's passing, Luca tracks down the gunshot victim, Ilias (Alexandros Chrysanthopoulos) and visits him at the hospital. These visits are a bit funny and quite uncomfortable - making them intriguing to watch. Soon, Luca and the well-to-do Ilias have formed a strange bond of unexpected friendship.

One of the entertaining pieces here is the Luca is always playing a role. Famed method actor Dustin Hoffman is referenced a few times via MARATHON MAN and DOG DAY AFTERNOON, as is the titular Marlin Brando (thankfully no scenes with butter). Luca's acting exercises make for good entertainment, as both Nikoulis and Chrysanthopoulos are excellent in their roles. We are told that theater is about giving everything to art, and Tsonis has done that with his first feature-length film.

What an extraordinary piece of cinema. The film is audacious and wildly original - a disarming fusion of art-house intimacy and genre bravado, carried by a magnetic, star-making performance. Luca's journey is at once absurd and poignant; memory, masculinity, and myth unravel from him in threads, only to be restitched through sharp writing and surreal flair. It's brave, chaotic, razor-smart - and completely unforgettable.

Brando with a Glass Eye is an exquisite piece of film making. The acting was superb. The lead embodied his role with the flawless balance of skill and instinct. The screenplay was beautiful, nuanced and kept me guessing. The production design, colour grading, editing, film score, sound design were all superb. The cinematography was exquisite. Such a beautiful use of the camera, at times I felt like a voyeur. I would love to sit with the director to discuss his film from its initial conception to fruition. Well done to the entire cast and crew. It takes courage to make such a film! I can't wait to see what these film makers produce next!