Metropia

it could be a dark utopia. or only reflection of present. in fact, it is a portrait. for fears, searches, self definitions, paranoia, secrets, conspiracies and perception of life as a long and gray chain of day by day. in same measure, it is a kind of explanation. for hidden realities, for dreams and expectations, for the status of people as tools, for the reasons escaping to the predictability, so, a reflection support. one far to be bad because animation is always inspired form for remind basic truths.

Take a trip to Europe in the year 2024. This is a dark age, where the automobile is no longer in use, replaced by a cross country subway system. The most popular product on the market (in fact pretty much the only item) is a shampoo manufactured with a secret mind controlling chemical, which the major corporations use to monitor the public in George Orwell fashion.

In an age where animation can do anything, the decision to do almost nothing certainly stands out in film. Metropia is without doubt the bleakest animated feature I know; a murky institutional world, without a drop of color or sunshine, and everywhere we go is under lit. This makes enough sense when taking into account that this is a future where society is low on energy.

Not everything however feels credible. The absence of people in great numbers is unusual. The few people who do wander in and out of frame are almost hollow shells. They have no soul, but more importantly they have no movement. Metropia uses the least amount of energy possible to give life to illustrations. To attempt to describe it is not impossible, but it's something that is better off seen for ones self. Metropia is a haunting experience. It's almost a ghost world, not just from the absence of sight, but from the absence of sound. Metropia makes effective use of silence in all the right places, accompanied by an effective, very new age score.

As for the storyline, it is familiar, but not painfully so. It's similar to Brazil, which itself is the product of George Orwell's influence. The climax here feels a bit rushed, and easy, leaving Metropia a bit shorter than I think it should've been, but it remains an entertaining experiment.

I just screened this in advance of its showing at the San Francisco International Animation Festival. It's an interesting film, more for its technique than its narrative. Set in the not-to-distant future in a VERY bleak world, it tells the story of one man's fight against an evil corporation's machinations. Nothing really new narrative-wise, but the plot really isn't the point of this film. It's the animation. The process uses photomontage as its basis, and is quite creepy in its execution. The voice work is well done, and it's always good to see/hear cult film fave Udo Kier. If you enjoyed "1984" or "Brazil," you might want to check this film out.

I have watched this move on a hint, haven't expected it to be much, but in the end it turned out swell. The atmosphere created and the style of the movie is excellent. I have really enjoyed it, as it is not heavy, but more tranquil-food-for-thought kind of movie.

The number of allegories in the movie is overwhelming, and there are many connections with how the society functions today.

The low ratings for this movie are almost certainly there because of the complexity of the work, not because it is bad. Getting to IMDb it immediately reminded me about Aronofsky's Fountain, which had (and still has) sub par user rating compared to the quality of the work.

I think that Metropia is worthwhile and enjoyable work, and can recommend it.

can't quite understand the negative reviews on this movie. yes, the animation isn't 'high tone' but the story line will keep you glued to the movie.

the other more positive reviewers have finely analyzed and explained this short movie so i will not repeat their efforts. but i do suggest to give this most unusual film a look.

there are some weak spots in the story but as a whole it all works! it's different in look and atmosphere and isn't that what movie buffs seek out.

please don't approach this little gem of a movie expecting a wow wee in special effects. that's not what it's about. i believe the director is making a subtle comment on our times.