Alps (Giorgos Lanthimos, 2011): Greece

Reviewed by Lulu Yamaguchi. Viewed at Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Alps is the most mysterious film I watched at Santa Barbara Film Festibal 2012. I decided to watch this film because the picture caught my eyes. This picture is on the SBIFF information page. I thought this film maybe a love story or human drama. I didn’t have much information about this film before I watched. Or I still don’t have much information about this film even after I watched it.

The film doesn’t give audience much information. who are they? What are they doing? How are they chosen? wait… in the first place, are they chosen or do they get together by themselves? My brain was filled questions until the end credit. We must figure out what the film tells us in our heart.

Some of scenes are too dark. I couldn’t see even their faces clearly. There are many scene that camera doesn’t shoot character’s faces but under necks. When characters talk each other, camera focus on very behind person then 80% of screen is out of focus. Director(Giorgos Lanthimos) may dare to try these shooting styles. It maybe good way to make audience hold curiosity.  Honestly I was very irritated for it. However, it still works on me too. I’m curios if Lanthimos shoot like this way with other his work.

I couldn’t find what this movie want to tell audience. I concluded it because I don’t have answer inside of me.