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Sunday, September 4th, 2005
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10:42p - Immortel (Ad Vitam) (2004)
Directed by Enki Bilal
Written by Enki Bilal
Cinematography by Pascal Gennesseaux
Edited by Véronique Parnet
Running Time: 102mins
Main Cast:
Linda Hardy .... Jill Bioskop
Thomas Kretschmann .... Alcide Nikopol
Charlotte Rampling .... Elma Turner
Frédéric Pierrot .... John
Thomas M. Pollard .... Horus
Synopsis:
It is 2095 AD and a floating pyramid has appeared in the sky over New York; Egyptian God Horus has committed a crime and has seven days to experience the Earth he created before he is killed by his peers. On the ground life has evolved enormously, and artificial humans now dominate proceedings. A blue haired young woman is arrested, but she harnesses power that even she is unaware of.
Comments:
A French production but with dialogue in English, Immortel is above all else an experiment in 3D computer generated graphics, a modern piece of avant-garde. It is perhaps unfortunate then that the entire concept was not more meticulously planned as it suffers from a distinct lack of coherency and some dubious directorial decisions.
Similar in design to that of its predecessor, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Immortel is adapted from the first two of Enki Bilal's french comic books 'The Nikopol Trilogy', but unlike Final Fantasy incorporates a number of real life characters into its story. A completely computer generated New York then is inhabited by both the actual and the designed, and although this could have been exploited to enhance the theme of artifice by correlating CGI with simulation this is the film's first major stumbling point. Inserting real actors into an otherwise virtual world is rendered meaningless since this decision seems arbitrary. It also proves to be distracting, at least initially, as our attention is understandibly drawn to the difference in appearance of the characters, rather than their individual actions. Unfortunately our concentration is also disturbed by some dreadful graphics, which range from the unconvincing to the laughable, while in other situations insignificant figures are rendered perfectly.
The plot and dialogue offer little reward after the disappointment of appearance has been absorbed. Far too often the film seems unsure whether or not to take itself seriously, the apparent Egyptian Gods are seen passing time playing Monopoly, while some of the script is absolutely abysmal - "'Fuck you!''We need to fuck her again first.'" a noticeable culprit. A vast range of parts are touched upon throughout but none are developed with any particular depth or zest, motivation for events is rarely on display, and without full attention developments can appear convoluted. While the production design is admirable and could easily be compared to archetypal Science-Fiction films like Blade Runner, the plot once again fails to match its superior antecedents, with no intelligible investigation of the ethics of manufactured life form.
Immortel (Ad Vitam) is worthwhile viewing for those with a keen interest in alternative film-making, and with a story that is consumable albeit vapid and superficial it is accessible to those who with no knowledge of Bilal's graphic novels, although those familiar with his work are liable to be wholly more satisfied come the conclusion.
Entertainment Value: 5/10
Potential for film-making analysis: 7/10
IMDB Vote: 5/10
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