ACCIDENCE (2018) Berlin 2018

The opening image

Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson's short film ACCIDENCE is one of the most cinematic things you will see all year. A film made for the big screen, its a ten minute film you will want to see more than once since it there is simply too much to take in.

The film  begins on a balcony where something has happened. The railing is broken away. As a bandaged man sits the camera pulls back to reveal the side of an apartment building where various events are seen to transpire and which all tie into what has happened- though you'll have to piece it out.

I have no idea what to say. The film is an absolute trip. I went in knowing nothing and came out wanting to watch the film a couple of more times just so I could try and see it all. I still haven't and I'm going to need to see it a few more times to do so.

This film was shot for wide screen since the camera keeps the side of the apartment building with all the balconies with all the action going on firmly in view. It only begins and ends with a relative close up of one balcony pulling out to show us it all in between.  Its a kind of big screen game of I Spy....

I am in awe of this film. Driven by a dreaming score the film does things that only great cinema can do which is change how you think and how you see the world. Its fragmented puzzle is something that forces you consider what you are seeing and connect everything up. I'm still working on it despite seeing the film several times.

A truly great film and a must see when it winds it's way across the festival circuit.