filmbore pick of the week - Avalon

Avalon

Director: Mamoru Oshii
Screenplay: Kazunori Itô
Starring: Malgorzata Foremniak, Bartek Swiderski, Dariusz Biskupski
Year: 2001
Language: Polish
UK rental release date: 2006

IMDb
LoveFilm
Rotten Tomatoes

In a world dominated by gaming, there is always a drawing inevitability that this digital environment that we partake in could become a backbone to our society and even represent stature in place of war. Avalon makes an attempt at addressing such a future, to the extent where such simulations are actually illegal due to the deadly outcomes posssible to the participants in reality.

Ash (Malgorzata Foremniak, Squint Your Eyes, Pitbull) is currently topping the charts of the underground online realm Avalon. She sweeps through the virtual playgrounds populated by a plethora of wannabe gaming stars with the adept skill of a ninja, picking off her prey like a pixelated super hero. Her position in this industry is one of royalty, and fellow gamers long to reach accolades of her standings.

But for Ash, as queen-of-the-net she is beyond the capabilities required to succeed in the current games she's involved in. Her real life is quiet and lonely, and the only person in her world that she cares for is her dog. And, even with all of the increasing monetary awards present to her for her triumphs, she longs for more difficult challenges as her swelling appetite for adventure brings out an inquisitive side. 

She catches up to an old colleague, Stunner (Bartek Swiderski) who reveals secrets of a new level, "Special-A", where only the finest of players can enter. Even though the further likelihood of death or a catatonic state is apparent, these worries do little to deter her craving for danger, and with some brief encounters from a mystery participant Bishop (Dariusz Biskupski) she edges ever closer to her goal.

What lies in store for her in the Special-A difficulty setting? Will she even survive to find out? And who is the "ghost" that could show her the way? Game on...

I need to stress at this point that this film has always produced a number of mixed reactions. It's definitely a "Marmite" piece, where any critics either adore the bravery of the source material and it's execution, or find that it is a predictable snore fest. I for one feel that the latter comment is extremely unfair. Yes, there is a a bit of a lull during the middle of the film, with some drawn out scenes that could have a negative impact on the viewer depending on their movie watching desires. It does tend to be these shots in particular that bring out the torches and pitchforks when discussing this film. 

However, I feel these scenes are extremely important in the overall piece, creating an air of intrigue and confident patience for the up-and-coming moments of action and beautiful confusion. If they're not your "cup-of-tea" I can completely understand why, but I have always felt that the bad reactions to these moments are a little overplayed and obvious themselves. This clearly isn't The Matrix, so don't expect the same...instead be prepared for a small, smart art-house equivalent, meant to leave thoughts and mystery in it's wake and you'll enjoy it.

Anyhow, with that out of the way lets discuss the film overall. For those of you who are fans of anime you will clearly recognise the director listed at the top of this article. Mamoru Oshii is famed for some of the most successful animated pictures to come of out Japan, especially with Ghost In The Shell. It's apparent through Avalon that this seminal 90s anime (also known for inspiring a little known Wachowski brothers film I've already mentioned) has had a direct influence on the story. The burning topic in both pieces is a combination of the justification of technological advancement and the urge to comprehend identity whether in this realm or the designated maps of its virtual cousin. Yet, where Ghost In The Shell attacks these themes head on, Avalon slowly creeps around them, scouting for clues and learning from a distance. It's a lovely approach that is surprising when considering the general subjects of the film and allows you to melt into its world with ease. Again, this method is assisted by the slower (and importantly, sometimes repeated) scenes as you begin catch Ash ponder on her surroundings, as her need to further her game-hood starts to build.

Of the gaming scenes themselves, I have to comment on what are clearly some of the most unique and original concepts for movies of this nature. A sepia tone washes over the screen to highlight the dream-like environment, and the action within erupts in an alien-like fashion. Soldiers de-res like Tron victims as they're dispatched by Ash or other comrades, but the intensity of the battle simulations still holds intact even though the fake reality of that world is constantly revealed to you.

Also, I have to give further kudos to Oshii's regular composer counterpart, Kenji Kawai. Again, Kawai has crafted a fantastic score that partners with the whole picture with both eloquence and excitement. Their pairing is another great example of when a director understands complicitely what music can do to finalise an entire piece of work. Each required emotion, whether subtle or overwhelming, is handed to you at every moment of poignancy, making these themes vital to the overall movie.

Speaking of the working well together, one final hand clap has to go to the entire crew. Made up of both Japanese and Polish members, this film was difficult to make considering huge language barriers, and the production was noted to suffer as a result. However, they all powered through to create one of the most individual stories based around computer games committed to celluloid, and whether you love it or hate it, you have to respect the hard work of all those involved. 

So, if you're looking for a rock-n-roll ride through digital dimensions, creating an intense adventure of a movie, you may not find that here. But, if you want a poised, artistic and cogitating approach to value of life and the acceleration of addiction, that just happens to be in the gaming realm this could be the tale for you. And with an ending like the one Avalon has, you'll be pondering in it's aftermath for weeks to come!

Don't forget to leave comments below, tweet me @filmbore or post on my Facebook page here.