Anhedonia

I wanted to like it so much. There are few things I enjoy more than discovering new, brilliant filmmakers. You should have seen me jumping up and down after happening upon Tropical Malady (2004), which at the time was obscure even by Cannes film festival standards. I definitely can take arthouse - I'm French, for crying out loud -, I can take slow, I can take weird.

Don't get me wrong, there is definite talent in Anhedonia. There is tone and personality. Interesting subject matter. Good use of inside/outside scene contrast. Lots of work on the sound design and photography.

But overall, it did not live up to the rave reviews for me. When, as a viewer, you embark upon deconstructed storytelling, you want something to hang your hat on to. It may not be plot, it may not be character development. But, something. The eerie weirdness of Robbe-Grillet, the depth of insight in Godard, the sheer beauty of Lynch's nightmares, the maniacal machines of Greenaway. The desperate layer-peeling of Coppola's Conversation, Nolan's Memento or Aronofsky's Pi. Most of all, what you need to get through the night is a little something called tension.

And tension, for me, was not there. The main character is on a quest, and there is a ruthless killer on his trail, but none of that matters if there is no truth there, to make you care.

That is where Anhedonia let me down. It is a nice intellectual construction. But I found it artificial through and through. The depressed hero, the maniacal villain, the enigmatic mentor, the multi-dimension universe all go through the expected motions. But for me, they did not resonate. It felt like there was no point other than the complexity itself, a convoluted path leading you back to where you started with nothing to show for it.

It may well be that I was expecting too much. Or that I am not the intended target. Or that I missed the point. I do hope it is the latter. I do hope the filmmaker will, in time, have lots to say about life, art, love, death or whatever it is he wants to talk about. I will watch his next film. Because there are few things I enjoy more than discovering new, brilliant filmmakers.

I loved this - thrilling, uncanny - and strangely important. Some moments funny, some heart-breakingly honest, this film gives you plenty of space to make of it what you will - I was still thinking about it days later.

Every year we hope that the Indie scene can keep thriving and challenging the constraints of the standard blockbuster. In a current climate where the hot debate seems to be the 'cinephile' Vs 'comic book lovers' (which would actually make for a great title in the MCU no?) it seems Anhedonia has come just at the right time.

The premise of the film should really give a hint to the viewer that this isn't a typical character study of a man discovering himself, although there are elements of that here, rather it focuses on the human spirit. Okay I know that sounds real cheesy and Richard Curtis is probably already reading this through an algorithm he checks daily but this film does a fantastic job of avoiding the cliches.

Everything has been plotted out to allow our character to go on a true arc, the obvious symbolism of the vast countryside are not too on the nose, rather it amplifies the characters grief and also the settings just look fantastic so why wouldn't you get in those amazing establishing shots. The only details missing are the whereabouts of each character, in building an ambitious plot/world the viewer can get lost in between scenes and yet this doesn't hold it back. In fact you could say that it just further pushes the tone (both filmic and in this case a literal musical tone) to the forefront.

Finally it's clear how much dedication, work and love has gone into creating this film. Just by the short rolling credits we gain an appreciation for how this is true indie cinema, no doubt full of favours and rather than relying on grandeur it's filmmakers have let the story unfold and with it a highly satisfying conclusion.

One of a kind. Loved this from start to finish! A "metaphysical thriller", featuring dream worlds that resemble a corporate version of the Black Lodge in Twin Peaks, with a hilarious but terrifying villain like something out of a Coen Brothers film. Otherworldly and incredibly emotional.

NOTE: Not for everyone! If you don't like weird films, or films that challenge you then this won't be for you. It's unlike anything I've seen before. I love arty films so this was exactly my kind of thing.

I happened across this , loved the premise, and thought I'd give it a go. Because it was an independent/lower budget film I didn't think I'd get through much of it, but it was absolutely stunning!

The synopsis explains the film better than I'll ever be able to, so I won't try. My opinion though? This is a team of people who really know what they are doing and have bright futures ahead of them. I haven't seen a debut/breakthrough this assured since Blood Simple. Though the staging is simple, the direction is flawless. It reminded me of No Country For Old Men a lot, but it is WAY more bizarre than that.

I've had a love-hate view of arthouse films for a long time (they're usually way to self-indulgent, lack any sense of storytelling, and are usually very alientating for the average viewer). Anhedonia walks a very fine line but somehow manages to bridge the divide between entertainment and artistic vision.

The sound design, score and cinematography are so accomplished, especially considering the constraints they must have faced. The sense of scope is incredible, largely due to the risks taken and the choices of location!

As a film student I know how hard it is to make short films, but this is one hell of an accomplishment.- a feature film that never falters, never disappoints, and always gets you asking hard questions about yourself and the universe. It's perhaps five minutes or so too long (but then again so is every film these days! See: Midsommar/Wolf of Wall Street/Blade Runner 2049 - all still great films).

When I say I cannot stop telling people about this film, what I really mean is I cannot stop telling people to watch it so I can keep talking about it. The last time I watched a film that had so many enigmatic depths to it was probably The Shining. The answers are all there, but it's for the audience to decide. And that is SO much more rewarding than just having it handed to you.

Can't wait to see what these guys make next!