Immortalist

The dread of mortality and the quest to beat death are as old as time. Surprisingly few movies have taken on the subject outside of horror and science fiction. IMMORTALIST tackles the subject in a non-genre drama, albeit one that periodically dabbles in surrealism. Director Vladislav Kozlov, who co-wrote the film with Natalia Dar, pulls no punches in showing how far some people are willing to go in forestalling what common wisdom says is the inevitable. But is it? Can a corpse be frozen and revived in the future? Can a human be head be severed, preserved, and the mind downloaded later? IMMORTALIST asks the questions, and presents the debate in the context of a very human, intimate drama. Jeff DuJardin plays the grandson of Franco Nero, an old man dying of cancer, and against the wishes of his mother (a very nuanced, courageous performance by Sherilyn Fenn), tries to get him to consent to cryogenic preservation. DuJardin is remarkable in the movie, and he's sharing screen time not only with the iconic Nero and Sherilyn Fenn, but with veteran comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez. Nero, an international screen legend, will break your heart. Kozlov's direction is assured and capable, and the movie is exceptionally well-photographed. IMMORTALIST is a provocative, at times disturbing film. Gutsy, intelligent and uncompromising, it's an absorbing and original alternative to formulaic, four-quadrant studio tent poles. Well-worth the time.

This is a sick film. It is an out-right attack on those in the longevity and cryonics movements that are trying to reduce suffering and extend healthspan.

The main character is incredibly unlikable and is framed as a deranged nut who is flawed in many ways. The director runs with the worst-possible stereotype of those working to use technology to improve the human condition. Among other things he is portrayed as hypocritical because he takes supplements to try to live longer but also smokes. In the scene where he delivers his speech, he seems downright diabolical. The part of the film where he refuses to have sex is almost un-watchable and further puts the character in a terrible light. The general message is that longevity activists are deranged kooks who are selfish and not empathetic. Which is the exact opposite of the truth!!! The director clearly is very divorced from the realities of the longevity and cryonics movements and has a deeply cynical view of humans, bordering on anti-human and pro-death.

The longevity movement is largely filled with altruistic caring people who want to reduce suffering and healthcare costs.

That said, I think the film is very well shot and produced, it's just everything else about the film that is bad, including some of the acting. The neo-noir style is well done and gives everything dystopian, negative vibes as was intended. I suspect Aubrey de Grey is having his named used to market this film without his full consent.