Eden Log

"Eden Log" is one of those rare films that puts you into a surreal environment, forcing you to figure out throughout the film what the hell is going on, along with its main character. The awkward environment, the modest budget and the slow (for a recent film) pace may scare off many people. Nevertheless, this film has a lot to offer to those who's looking for something different. "Eden Log" is anything like any film I've ever seen.

This film is not for everyone. The plot and the scenery are anything but mainstream, however those who're into a more experimental kind of movie may what they're looking for. Watch it at your own discretion.

Eden Log is somewhat of a good surprise for a french scifi movie. Think of a arty and elaborate form, beautiful black and white photography with rare under lit colors.

What matters here is the mood more than the script, the first half of Eden Log is just the claustrophobic graphic story of a guy covered in mud trying to get out of a dark and low-tech labyrinth, with no memory at all of how he got there. There are very few dialogs, and there aren't even necessary.

Unfortunately, the last third of the movie doesn't quite lives up to it's beginning, the script is somehow too confuse and too explicit at the same time, and the dark and mysterious image of the beginning vanish due to the necessity of writing an acceptable end.

Still i would recommend this movie, it has a very original tone and form, rarely seen these days, and manages to create something on its own, aside from both the Hollywood scene, and the overall shitty genre french scene (if you've seen Chrysalis, you exactly know what i mean !) More than that : If you're fan of graphic and kind of arty movies like Tarkovsky's Stalker, Cube, Aronofsky's Pi, Caro & Jeunet's Le Bunker De La Dernière Rafale, that Forsaken thing or Guy Maddin's pictures you should definitely check it !

A very impressive first feature. It has the shortcomings of it's qualities, but the overall feeling is that of being immersed in an alien landscape for a journey before regaining the planet earth again. It's obscure, not very clear of it's intentions, maybe even a little naive at moments, cold and detached most of the time, but it has the balls to be different. I must admit that i was only a few times during the film awed by what i witnessed, but constantly admiring the fact that it didn't compromise the fact of not searching for the approbation of the largest number. Whatever my feelings at the end, and i'm still not quite sure, i did feel intrigued during the whole duration, and i'm glad that films like this exist and get to be made. The other commenter's have labeled this as "arty", but i'd rather say it has a style and sticks to it, for better or worse. Sure it's eye-candy, and as such doesn't hurt the viewing, but i wouldn't say it's style over substance, i really felt it like an uncompromising vision of of a first time director. It's no Dark City, but it's a pretty damn fine effort, and i'll be waiting for the next one from the director. The music was excellent as well, not really your typical movie score, and added to the immersion. And all this for a certainly meager budget...

All in all, i'd recommend it, a very serious effort, and for that it gets a 7 out of 10. I guess i did like it after all...

--> !NO SPOILERS! <--

* The verdict.

Eden Log could be the first in a series of films on the topic and, if that were so, it could herald a project ambitious enough to rank among history's top Sci-Fi features along the likes of The Matrix and Artificial Intelligence. At present, it feels like an artistic short film and a 90 minute long one at that.

* The nitty-gritty.

If you decide to watch Eden Log, do not expect a large dose of entertainment. The film can be appreciated as a work of art, can be admired for its unique feel, but it leaves the audience unsatiated.

The world presented in Eden Log is severely limited in scope, awkward and, at times, presents frustrating problems. It takes a moment to adjust to the pace of the film, since the tempo would not have to be slowed down much to make Eden Log run in real time. A word to bear in mind over the first ten minutes of the film is 'patience'. It appears that the strategy employed by the director is to immerse the audience in the world of Eden Log through long exposure to its Sci-Fi elements. As such, one has to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate the attempt.

The plot could be summarised in about four sentences, but, to judge Eden Log on the plot, is to miss the point. The focus here is on appealing to the senses and a more complex plot would be a distraction.

All in all, Eden Log was an experience, but with a dead end. It is just one of those productions, which has the feel of the first part of a splendid trilogy, but which is not actually going to be a trilogy, because of the conceptual limitations placed upon the project at its outset by the director.

* Vote.

None can be given.

It all starts off in atmospheric style, pitch blackness pierced by the occasional flash of light, only giving you brief glimpses of the strange subterranean world the amnesiac protagonist awakes in. It fills you with the same sense of intrigue and unease that "Cube" did so brilliantly, but whilst that movie managed to sustain it, the constant darkness and drawn-out pace of "Eden Log" soon starts to grate.

There's some nice looking shots in here, and a genuinely interesting premise, but the movie literally keeps its audience in the dark for far too long about the details, meaning that it outstays its welcome and by the time the admittedly impressive finale comes around you're unlikely to care anymore.