Disco Boy - Choque Entre Mundos

Quite a beautiful and sad tale, but beautifully told without hefty dialogue.

What costs, what risks is Alexei willing to take to become a French citizen? And what costs, what risks is Jomo pushed to take to save his village? Are these men a reflection of each other, a manifestation the same human spirit? Udoka, the mystical and spiritual dancer of the tribe is the thread that weaves them together.

A strong focus on the characters' experience and struggles draws you in to the story. The acting is excellent, faces and expressions telling the narrative here. The imagery further supports the characters outlook and experiences through the film. The visual effects (such as a fight scene through IR goggles) convey the gravity of strong scenes without being gory or graphic, as well as relaying beautiful artefacts of nature as though painted with neon lights. They are excellently employed to highlight a tale about a technological society up against humanity's reliance on the natural realm. This is where Vitalic's soundtrack really comes into its own - utterly technological and synthetic, yet soulful, human and sympathetic. The soundtrack is exhilarating and at times crushing, but really well woven into the stories.

A wonderful and beautifully crafted film.

This multi-layered film depicts an internal journey that starts when two reckless guys from Belarus enter Poland with a three-day visa hoping for a life of a dream in France, where everyone drinks Bordeaux and eats Camembert. The journey changes its purpose and destination as the main character matures and experiences things one can never forget. His thoughts and dreams are hallucinating with memories and regrets, and by the end of the journey he will become someone else.

Throughout the film, we see a lot of injustice, violence, death and danger, as well as Alex and Jomo, the two main characters (or are they one?), with their two eyes: one black - for the real, the other one light - for the illusion.

PS: remarkable OST from Vitalic.

Visually and musically, this film is simply perfect.

Is a combination of "Full Metal Jacket" and "Apocalypse Now" with added value. If you know these cinematic gems, whether you just respect them or even like them, you will surely be satisfied with this film.

This piece of art offers social drama, action and mystery with a critical tone towards social inequality and the effects of war with believable and likeable characters. And all without any imposition from the film everything flows beautifully to the rhythm of the soundtrack to the end.

Film did a great job with telling the story through the visuals. Even the post-credits reveal the story of the graphic design that the film offers from the start.

Well done.

"Disco Boy" is a beautifully psychedelic film that takes viewers on a unique and thought-provoking journey. The plot, which weaves together the stories of Aleksei and Jomo in the midst of their personal struggles, offers deep symbolic meanings that encourage introspection about one's existence, regrets, and disillusionment.

This movie is undeniably arty and not for everyone. Its abstract storytelling and rich symbolism may challenge some viewers, but for those willing to dive into its enigmatic narrative, "Disco Boy" offers a rewarding experience.

One standout aspect of the film is the incredible soundtrack by Vitalic, which adds another layer of immersion to the already mesmerizing visuals. The music enhances the overall atmosphere and emotion of the film, making it an auditory delight.

Franz Rogowski's performance in the film is nothing short of extraordinary. His portrayal of Aleksei is both captivating and emotionally charged, adding depth to the character and the overall narrative. His acting truly elevates the movie to another level.

In conclusion, "Disco Boy" is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling. With its symbolic themes, exceptional soundtrack, and Franz Rogowski's outstanding acting, it's a cinematic experience that will leave a lasting impression on those who appreciate artistry in film.

If you're expecting some Bee Gees or Donna Summer here, then you're going to be disappointed. Indeed there's precious little disco at all in this story of "Alex" (Franz Rogowski). He and his friend "Mikhail" (Michal Balicki) have a cunning plan to get from their home in Belarus to Poland and then on to France where they may eventually gain citizenship by joining the Foreign Legion. That doesn't quite go to plan, but eventually he finds himself at boot camp and destined for a mission to Niger. It's there that the local "MEND" militia are demanding an end to the cavalier exploitation of the delta by oil companies leaving a trail of death, destruction and pollution behind them. A violent encounter with local leader "Jomo" (Morr Ndiaye) in a river ends up having quite a profound effect on our soldier, one which he must come to terms with when he returns to Paris and meets the enigmatic dancer "Udoka" (Laetitia Ky) - who would appear to be as connected with his recent past as with his present. The story itself is but an incomplete section of his life, it's the photography that makes this more interesting. The use of night-vision imagery, especially in the jungle, works well as does the presentation of the environmental carnage being left behind - oil leaking everywhere, discarded or bombed out pipelines. That sense of the invasive nature of industrial development is quite cleverly carried onwards as "Alex" and his colleagues themselves have little investment in anything but survival. There's not a great deal of dialogue - wanted or needed, and this is the sort of part Rogowski does well - he's neither here nor not a lot of the time. It has a slightly surreal look to it, and though maybe it does meander a little - it certainly does repeat itself now and again - it's still quite a compelling mix of the political and the emotional, and is worth a watch.