Backgammon

A true indie film here, with a lot of passion and heart. Obviously shot on a low budget, this little piece of cinema takes on big issues and some dark comedy. Its intention is to get its audience to start using their brains and thinking "on their own". We are taken on a journey of how all sections of society deal with the subject of "hunger" and the end of the world in an odd, eerie and truly ironic story format that I find is meant more as a dark comedy. A quirky little piece in my estimation that definitely takes so twists and turns. As for the cast, I found that overall, they are mostly talented actors, particularly the dramatic scenes. Again, a lot of passion in trying to get a point of view across. Kudos.

There is no hiding that I played one of the characters in this little indie. I find that a behind the camera review is as important as a viewers perspective. This film was one of my first. It was special and a great bar to set when it comes to real gorilla filmmaking. The subject matter when re-watching now is more relevant today. With the battles going on with GMOs and the world getting overpopulated, it rings. There was next to no budget, but I can say first hand, it felt better working on this location than some of the higher budget sets I have worked. If you get past the lack in CG, you will see a critically important topic being addressed.

Wonderfully inventive and clever film which is masterfully directed despite the incredibly low budget. It has a lot to say about our society, specifically about our attitudes regarding the work we do and the food we eat. Raw but emotionally powerful. It speaks volumes about our consumer society. Kind of a European leftist bent politically, but with ideas and values which are very relevant today still. The acting is quite good, although many of the actors remain under the radar. The writing is polished and entertaining. The writer/director will almost certainly be heard from again. I look forward to her next project. Put me down as a fan.

How often does a movie manage to master all aspects of the 7th art while always serving the plot? The photography is gorgeous, rhythm and music riveting, characters complex (even the women, thank you!), human and attaching, propelling you into this eerie atmosphere and forcing you on tiptoes in this sensuous, psychological tale about hunger in all it's forms that manages to be as entertaining as it is philosophical. An initiation. And 11 years later, it's quite bewildering how prophetic it is about our society's fetishes and qualms. That's a quality shared only by top level sci-fi (no I really don't get some of the other reviews). One of those few movies that stay with you and make you a better human.

This is a film in which the end of the world is imminent, the situation is publicly announced, and civilization promptly falls apart. Rampant pollution will cause the Earth to explode, and has made all grown food inedible. With no food sources, people attempt to survive by banding together and scavenging for existing supplies. A corporation has developed a new kind of food called "designed food" for distribution among the riotous masses and the few faithful to civilized ways, but the new foodstuff holds a terrible secret (which you will no doubt figure out long before the movie tells you.) The story has potential, but bad acting, dialogue, sets, and the obvious extremist bias of the filmmakers make this not worth watching, except for unintentional comedic value. The nonexistent budget doesn't even rise to the level of a concern when determining this movie's quality.