Small Gods (Dimitri Karakatsanis, 2007): Belgium

Dimitri Karakatsanis’s 2007 film “Small Gods” proves big in sensation. With distorted cinematic shots, disorienting narrative, and dark underlying elements, Small Gods gives a relentless emotional presentation that is as surreal as it is complex. Written by Dimitri Karakatsanis as well, the film gives much relation to a poem sense of screen play. The sagacity of this style effects the viewer in multiple and complex ways; asking the viewer to interpret the film in a manner that they construe themselves. The method of leaving many visuals and character motivations up for audience opinion is a very unique delivery to American audience; who relate dominatinly to solid and well understood story structure.

After “Elina” (Steffi Peeters) loses her child in a car accident, she is liberated against her will from the hospitle and whimsicaly taken on a journey with two mysterious people. With no confirmed destination, the three live a dreary and dream-like life. The other two lead roles “David” (Titus De Voogdt) and “Moeder” (Marijike Pinoy) who are on the gloomy and sinister travel act as a link to the progressional circumtances that happen to Elina. With all characters having a dramatic element of depth to thier lives before one another, the film remains fluid in passion driven deeds. David, the main ringleader and founder of the three’s obtuse road trip gives a fantastic energy to the film; presenting a dominate sense of internal struggle, as well as the spearhead for masculinity and control. Moeder, a much more subtle and complicated role gives the journey a “calm before the storm” feeling that contributes to a pivitol violent inncident. As the characters continue to self destruct, Elina returns to her life, however remains emotionaly devout to her friends and her expierience. The film contains little to no diolouge making it difficult for the audience to gain literal knowlege or key points for each sequence. This stylistic approach gives a bit of a french influence, yet remains true to traditional independent Belgum cinema.

The producer of “Small Gods” (Peter De Maegd) explained to me how the acceptance of the film in Belgum was simular to that of American indi films in the U.S.; in which it has little regard in pre production faze. However once this project had gained interest in it’s premier showing at the Venice International Film Festival, Belgium was quick to accept it as an acclaimed presentation. Peter asks that when viewing this film, accept that not all is to be understood, and to “use your heart” as an indicator instead. This film is a poetic journey into a literal and internaly dark journey into confienment. The ending of the film is left up to interpretation. My intereprtive reaction of the film left me in fearful awe. I recomend this film to viewers who have rarely if ever expierienced a film that consumes a feel over you, instead of just imagry and storytelling. What conclusion you will make?