NOCTURAMA (2017)

Written, Music & Directed By: Bertrand Bonello 
Cinematography By: Leo Hinstin 

Cast: Finnegan Oldfield, Vincent Rottiers, Manal Issa, Hamza Meziani, Martin Petit-Guyot, Jamil McCraven, Rabah Nait Oufella, Laure Valentinelli, Ilias De Lore, Robin Goldbronn, Luis Rego, Hermine Karagheuz, Adele Haenel 

Some young folks, tired of the society they're living in, plan a bomb attack over Paris before to take shelter for a night in a shopping center.

The film was originally titled "Paris est une fête" (literally "Paris is a feast", the French title of Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast"), but had to be changed in post-production because it became a symbol of hope in the wake of the November 2015 Paris attacks. Which might have been why it was Rejected by the 2016 Cannes Film Festival due to its politically sensitive content, in light of the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015.

The new title "Nocturama", on the other hand, comes from a Nick Cave album and means "night vision". Bonello liked the hybridism of Latin and Greek and used it with Cave's permission.

If you love tracking shots and youthful rebellion that comes out as terrorism. This is the film for you. As the characters try and make the world a better place but believe violence is the quickest and only way.

The film Can be interpreted in many ways. The emptiness of their actions and the reaction to this. They seem to know the cops are coming for them eventually, but as the time dwindles it starts to become a reality. They really think and expect to change the world. They slowly discover they have disrupted, but not changed the world.

The camerawork in this film like the movie ELEPHANT seems to be a thesis or hypothesis with tracking shots as the characters go along and explore their surroundings unconscious of the inevitable. Never really know exactly what sparked the initial actions only get glimpses as we see the lead up and the aftermath. As well as some of the actual acts.

The metro scenes were shot guerrilla-style.

I'm sure there is a message here I feel I might be missing. As it seems to be trying to say something more through presentation. As eventually the characters really don't talk much or have much to see.

Not even the usual rhetoric though capitalism is there. Some almost living out a child's fantasy or fantasy of being kicked up in a mall allowed to play with and use whatever you want to have a playground especially with all the youthful characters

As usual the toughest member is the one who seems to kind of be the most scared and weakest by the end.

The police raid of the building is startling in how cold blooded it is. It feels ruthless especially after we have gotten to know the characters. What is more shocking is how there is no warning and they seem to shoot at will. Not even when some seem to give themselves up and are unarmed.

In Some scenes we get many different points of view of the same scenes and action. Though they keep feeling new but are the same. Presented for a different influence.

The film doesn't offer so much ideology though plans quickly disassemble as do beliefs, sanity and group dynamics as they countdown.

The film has plenty of style and a good soundtrack that is vivid and has the strength to carry the emotions and tension. While we sit there and watch as these political sociopaths. Soon more reveals themselves to be young people in over their head.

The music that keeps playing throughout scenes helps give the scenes a soundtrack as the camera follows and tracks around the characters and locations. As hey waste away their time not celebrating but having their last hurrah. As they waste away their time.

You will be Shocked the song cruel summer wasn't used in the soundtrack. As that might have been too spot on.

They are seen as enemies of the state, not terrorists. What is being said in other words is that they are on their own. As they are not seen as terrorists. So the cops don't have to negotiate. As there is no threat of long term worries or retributions. As the French Swat Team not as loud and obvious, don't waste shots and are a bit more ruthless. Including innocent victims who were invited into luxury for a few hours on a whim. The characters aren’t as scared of death until reality starts to set in. As they seem to be passionate and more impestuous until the consequences and power of what they have done truly start setting in. the film shows the passion most of us have especially youth. Though throughout the film it allows them to come face to face with the responsibilities of what they have done. The film stays surprising.

Slowly the film generally becomes chilling. As the reason why is never exactly explained and it becomes apparent that their time is over. Now you only wonder when. As the swat team slowly comes In And you are just left to wonder when they will strike and who and how.

The film wants to show off it’s style but also be a kind of compassionate statement. While showing that the characters are in over their heads. Letting us get to know them to a point. Witness some of their hedonism before letting a harsh reality set in and reveal to us the end. This film is really us seeing their limbo before everything takes shape. Even as the filmmaking is idiosyncratic.

 Grade: B