I first saw this film at the Flamingo Film festival and ever since it has resonated in my brain. The film has an old school exploitation vibe to it with call backs to some of the greats in the genre of avant-garde film. Influences such as Man Ray, Kenneth Anger, and Maya Duran are clearly felt throughout the film's short duration. The film doesn't drag along and is paced well enough. I'm here for a good time, not a long time.
The visual direction of the Follow Leader can be truly arresting at first glance, often eliciting an emotional response of discomfort but ultimately becoming a satisfying experience towards the end. Each frame is crafted with imagination and artistic prowess.
For those looking for a strong plot you will be hard pressed to find a better one. The film focuses mainly on a man who is being savagely tormented with little explanation on why until practically the very end of the film. Of course this ending is up to interpretation and left ambiguous. Throughout the near seven minutes runtime a pair of ominous superimposed eyes fade in and out of the frame subverting any semblance of calm.
This really makes you feel like you're the one being scrutinized instead of the main character. It's an uneasy feeling for sure but in the best way possible.
This film exists to tell us an important story and spread a powerful message of healing. It doesn't make this immediately known which is half of the beauty and brilliance of this film
I'm sure the audience will be divided with this one especially those with sensitivities to strobe lighting effects put give it a chance. It's a brilliant piece of visionary experimental work. It's beautiful, dark and gritty. Follow Leader aims for a deep emotional experience and for me it definitely hits the mark.
