1984

After seeing her 2021 debut film Quarantine, I had a good feeling about Diana Ringo as a filmmaking force to be reckoned with. She solidified that statement with her adaptation of the classic Orwell novel 1984. Combining elements from Orwell as well as a 1921 Russian novel, We, by Yegveny Zaymatin,

Ringo brings us to a futuristic or alternate 1984 where we see D-503 (based on Winston Smith, a mathematician in a world run by Big Brother, begin to have thoughts and personal feelings that do not mesh with Big Brother's vision of a world. Together with artist I-330 (based on Julia and played by Ringo herself), they learn of a possive resistance movement and will go to great lengths to enjoy "freedom".

Excellent performances by Aleksandr Obmanov as D-503, Ringo as I-330, and Aleksei Shamayev as Big Brother's "spokesman" drive the film. Overall, highly recommended and can't wait to see what Ringo comes up with next as she did it all here (co-star, director, producer, writer, composer, VFX artist).

This movie was sure a surprise!! Didn't really know what I was getting into, just knew it was a new take on 1984, and then suddenly it hits me - this isn't just Orwell, it's We by Zamyatin too, and the two are fused into this strange dystopia. No big studio backing, shot in Moscow, but it looks incredible: all crumbling structures, empty streets, and this cold, eerie atmosphere like the world already ended and nobody told us.

The cast is good, and Aleksandr Obmanov really carries it - his performance is subtle yet intense, and the way he delivers these iconic lines from both books makes it feel like they're being spoken for the first time. There's actual dialogue here, not just mood, and it lands hard. So many moments where I had to pause just to take in what was said. Definitely not a film that holds your hand, but if you lock into its rhythm, it stays with you. It's not trying to be a generic Hollywood dystopia - it's something apologetically different, raw and quietly devastating.

Diana Ringo's "1984" is a riveting and thought-provoking adaptation of George Orwell's seminal dystopian novel, offering a fresh perspective on themes of freedom, individuality, and the oppressive weight of totalitarian control.

The film masterfully blends Orwell's "1984" with Zamyatin's "We", combining the harsh realism of Orwell's totalitarian world with the surreal, oppressive elements of Zamyatin's dystopia, creating a uniquely layered and thought-provoking narrative.

The performances in "1984" are particularly noteworthy. Aleksandr Obmanov delivers a powerful portrayal of D503, a mathematician whose internal conflict between duty and love drives the narrative. His nuanced performance captures the essence of a man grappling with the erosion of his humanity in an unyielding regime. Diana Ringo's portrayal of I330 complements Obmanov's performance beautifully, adding layers of intensity and emotion to their forbidden romance.

Visually, the film is striking, featuring a surreal and vibrant aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the bleakness of the world it depicts. Ringo's direction showcases a stunning blend of futuristic design and grotesque imagery, creating a unique and immersive dystopian landscape. The film's visual style, coupled with its evocative score, enhances the storytelling and underscores the themes of oppression and resistance.

Overall, "1984" is a well-crafted and compelling film that offers a fresh and visually captivating take on Orwell's classic themes, it is a must see for genre-movie fans.

I wasn't aware this was a foreign movie until after I bought it so just as a heads up to any English speakers you'll need subtitles

It was not bad but not great. Some good quotes from the book. Yet it is very low budget, most of the scenes were clearly made from AI. Which was very ingesting to see AI being used in a movie for the artwork/design

Most scenes seemed to be filmed in front of a green screen too which is fine but again very low budget

It was very slow with a lot of open space between scenes, showing the actors 'thinking' or just showing AI art

I honestly not sure if I can reccomend this one, just based off the low quality and the need for subtitles unless that's your thing

All that being said, I'm grateful that people around the world are inclined to make movies covering these topics!

I enjoyed this creepy computery adaptation of Orwell's classic novel, which I rented on Amazon. It's tough to do justice to the book, which always feels so rooted in the initial years of the Cold War while Stalin was still alive. Ringo has achieved the cool menace from the original tale combined with a fittingly sinister AI vibe from the 2020s. The acting was good, well cast. The pacing was effective. I would like to watch it again as my battery died before I could finish it so I might re-rent. The film left me wondering about what has changed since 1949, whether Orwell would recognise the same themes in the contemporary world.