Clube Zero

I know this movie has gotten no so good responses from critics and the public but I personally liked it. Filmmaker Jessica Hausner clearly has an thought-provoking concept about nutrition, diets, and a satirical approach on control and misguidance. While the narrative does feel lacking and certain concepts does leave me starving for more, I still found the atmosphere, deadpan approach and style to be interesting.

The production, costumes, and the settings is colorful and beautiful. The dialogue is weird as admittedly, it does feel too fake but whether it was intentional on the direction, I did like some of the weird dialogue choices. The performances were mostly solid while there were a few dull performances.

Obviously the movie fault lies on the lacking of certain concepts and some of the style feels way too similar to Michael Haneke and Yorgos Lanthimos. Overall, I know this movie isn't liked but I don't think it's as bad as everyone has said.

At an elite private school, teacher Ms Novak (Mia Wasikowska) starts a club called Conscious Eating for a group of students.

The filming style is slow with long uncut scenes. The dialogue is often done in a hush. That has more to do with the characters. It is a dark comedy that leans more on the dark. Some of these people are not acting reasonably especially the principal. She really should be more concerned about getting sued by one of the parents. For people who have dealt with the issue, this may hit close to home. For me, I get the sense of dread and frustration and hopelessness. It's like a cult where these young people get trapped by it.

I found this film rather fascinating because at the present time my 10 year old great granddaughter is being manipulated and brainwashed by her father and her school.

It's takes a little getting used to the pacing of the film, but once you do it's almost hypnotic. The sets and costumes are eye candy to me. The direction thoughtful and intentional. Some one commented about the end credit scene......for me it was extremely reminiscent of the Leonardo da Vinci painting The Last Supper. The message one could get from the film is that if we want anything to change we will need to change our beliefs, not turning to any religion or cult, but by limiting our consumerism while we still can. Our children's children's children are already paying the price for our follies.

The film addresses a very interesting and distressing topic, but it was not executed masterfully. The performances are good and the story gradually keeps us intrigued, but the work in general doesn't have much of a "pulse". The film spends a long time without going anywhere, and when we think that a climax will arrive and that we will be shocked, predictable or simple things happen.

At least I'll say one thing: The background scene during the end credits is very interesting and a little scary. I think it was the scariest part of the film, but obviously I won't say what it's about here because I don't want to spoil it.

Imagine stepping into a world where reality crumbles like a faded painting. "Club Zero" draws you into a whirlpool of ambiguity and reflections, guiding you through a labyrinth of simulacra and deprivations. The film, masterfully directed by Jessica Hausner, unfolds in an elite school where normality is merely an illusion. Here, Miss Novak, an enigmatic teacher, introduces her students to a new creed: radical fasting as a means to break free from the chains of consumerism and superficiality. What begins as a social experiment soon descends into darkness as the students are increasingly drawn deeper into the vortex of their convictions. Hausner paints a dark and unsettling picture, where human relationships are mere empty shells and emotions are a distant echo. The images, cold and distant, convey a sense of alienation and disconnection, as if the world around were merely a distorted reflection of true reality. The theme of food becomes a powerful symbol, representing not only physical needs but also our deepest anxieties and insecurities. Through a series of disturbing and surreal scenes, the film forces us to confront our darkest fears and deepest desires. The ending, with its evocative image of students lost in the void of the unknown, leaves the viewer with more questions than answers. What is true and what is merely an illusion? And, above all, what does it truly mean to be free? Ultimately, "Club Zero" is a fascinating journey into the heart of human darkness, an experience that captivates and transports you to a world without time or space. Hausner, with her bold vision and impeccable direction, offers us a penetrating look into what could be the future of humanity, inviting us to reflect on what truly matters in life. If you're ready to surrender to the allure of mystery and beauty, "Club Zero" is the film for you. Prepare to be transported to a world where nothing is as it seems, and where truth is but a distant mirage.