nichrevolution

Fruit of Paradise does a fantastic job living up to its energetic predecessor, Daisies, and belongs to the same delirious family of Arthouse Cinema as the works of Jan Svankmajer, the Brothers Quay, Maya Deren, and I'll even go out on a limb and say Dave McKean. The narrative pursues the loose interactions and activities of Eva, her husband Josef, and Mr. Robert- all of whom are in residence at a pastoral health spa. The film draws immediate and overt parallels to the story of Adam and Eve and their temptation in the Garden in addition to other more thematic and symbolic parallels with old fairy tales like Bluebeard and Little Red Riding Hood. Approach this film knowing that the art lies in the Cinesthesiac fusion of image, motion, music, and concept. The narrative exists in service to that.

Right from the start Fire City: End of Days got a big A+ rating in my book simply for the extensive and impressive use of practical effects. For a fantasy thriller and a low budget indie feature this film is remarkably deep and equally dark. For those of you familiar with Angel, the Buffy spin off, Fire City treads kindred ground steeped in the shadows and dust of an urban underworld. For all that this film bears in promise, it ultimately falls short somehow with its bewildering climax that feels both rushed and drawn out somehow. We are set up to expect more installments in the series that continue the story of Atum Vine (installments I await with more anticipation than I had for Desolation of Smaug (!).

Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Fire City is not a part of the story, but rather that the film strains its scant budget to the max, popping seams along the way.