Club Zero

Imagine stepping into a world where reality crumbles like a faded painting. "Club Zero" draws you into a whirlpool of ambiguity and reflections, guiding you through a labyrinth of simulacra and deprivations. The film, masterfully directed by Jessica Hausner, unfolds in an elite school where normality is merely an illusion. Here, Miss Novak, an enigmatic teacher, introduces her students to a new creed: radical fasting as a means to break free from the chains of consumerism and superficiality. What begins as a social experiment soon descends into darkness as the students are increasingly drawn deeper into the vortex of their convictions. Hausner paints a dark and unsettling picture, where human relationships are mere empty shells and emotions are a distant echo. The images, cold and distant, convey a sense of alienation and disconnection, as if the world around were merely a distorted reflection of true reality. The theme of food becomes a powerful symbol, representing not only physical needs but also our deepest anxieties and insecurities. Through a series of disturbing and surreal scenes, the film forces us to confront our darkest fears and deepest desires. The ending, with its evocative image of students lost in the void of the unknown, leaves the viewer with more questions than answers. What is true and what is merely an illusion? And, above all, what does it truly mean to be free? Ultimately, "Club Zero" is a fascinating journey into the heart of human darkness, an experience that captivates and transports you to a world without time or space. Hausner, with her bold vision and impeccable direction, offers us a penetrating look into what could be the future of humanity, inviting us to reflect on what truly matters in life. If you're ready to surrender to the allure of mystery and beauty, "Club Zero" is the film for you. Prepare to be transported to a world where nothing is as it seems, and where truth is but a distant mirage.

Unabashedly uninhibited, hilarious, and provocative, Club Zero explores belief dynamics and how they can shape identity in a story that follows the bond of a teacher with her students and the unexpected turn it takes.

Bathed in beautiful aesthetics transmitting universality through a synthetic palette, precise cinematography relying on zoom to focus on deeper meanings, and a percussion-driven score channeling a pulsating inner force that conveys a spiritual and ritualistic experience, Club Zero, inspired by the fairy tale "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," raises the question if adults are paying enough attention to their children.

Jessica Hausner is interested in portraying manipulation and faith as something dangerous that blooms when simplicity is accepted at face value without the resistance that naturally comes with examination. In conscious eating, students find a harbor for identity and a medium to realize belongingness via regurgitation of the agentic identity through facsimile emancipation. Ideologies are enjoyed since they give the control and understanding, that come with certainty, that reality, in its complexity, doesn't have to offer.

The film addresses a very interesting and distressing topic, but it was not executed masterfully. The performances are good and the story gradually keeps us intrigued, but the work in general doesn't have much of a "pulse". The film spends a long time without going anywhere, and when we think that a climax will arrive and that we will be shocked, predictable or simple things happen.

At least I'll say one thing: The background scene during the end credits is very interesting and a little scary. I think it was the scariest part of the film, but obviously I won't say what it's about here because I don't want to spoil it.

At an elite private school, teacher Ms Novak (Mia Wasikowska) starts a club called Conscious Eating for a group of students.

The filming style is slow with long uncut scenes. The dialogue is often done in a hush. That has more to do with the characters. It is a dark comedy that leans more on the dark. Some of these people are not acting reasonably especially the principal. She really should be more concerned about getting sued by one of the parents. For people who have dealt with the issue, this may hit close to home. For me, I get the sense of dread and frustration and hopelessness. It's like a cult where these young people get trapped by it.

Club Zero is categorized as a comedy/drama/thriller but in my opinion it's just a drama. Not really thrilling and certainly not funny or whatsoever. Not a bad drama though. It's all about control, brainwashing, dieting and self control. Almost like the beginning of a cult. Everything looks very minimalistic, from the decor to the dialogues to the cinematography. The acting was good and that from the entire cast. Mia Wasikowska plays the weird brainwashing teacher and did a convincing job. It's all watchable, just don't expect too much action as it's mostly deep conversations about basically eating disorders. I don't know if they tried to make a point, but it's a fact there is a lot of bad food on the market, just look around you if you live in the USA and you will see the results of bad nutrition everywhere. It's not a coincidence the vast majority is obese or has diabetes, it's all about what you eat.