Caught in a fugue state, a young artist struggles to ascertain where his creativity begins and his madness ends. As the artist puts his life essence into his work, he is consumed by visions of being isolated from others due to mental struggles and the inability to communicate with the rest of the world the meaning behind his artistic expression and his own mental decline.
In his own words, “I know who I am, I been through much and I feel too deeply, it's a dangerous combination.”
“Visualizations” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
“Visualization” is an intriguing entry in experimental cinema, with a clear vision of what it is trying to get across while still being constructed in a way that is open to interpretation when considering the audience's own relationship with creative individuals–in this case a painter, but the sentiment is not exclusive to a singular craft. Furthermore, it deals in a viscera that relates the pain of its subject with a universally understandable sincerity that transcends any uncertainty that may come from the film's abstract nature. In short, Abdolrahman Sarraei has crafted an engaging experiment that is certain to evoke an emotional connection with “Visualizations.”
This is bolstered by a (mostly) sleek visual and audio presentation, with the camera flowing effortlessly to capture dreamlike movements. This purposeful attachment between subject and their environment is aided by the editing that allows quick shifts to interlock in a cohesive manner that keeps the ‘story' moving forward. The score, comprised mostly of modern classical pieces, sets the tone of uncertainty felt by the artist while also complimenting the slightly ethereal aesthetic of the production.
However, there are minor quips to be had with the end product despite how pristine it can come across. Most egregiously, the dialogue is not delivered clearly, and if the viewer is unable to backtrack entire lines may be lost in the muted voices. In addition, there is an under-utilization of the performers, and often the direction feels focused on capturing an atmosphere as opposed to the emotional response of its lead actor. This, arguably, could fall on the performers themselves, but given the minimal dialogue, it is hard to pinpoint where this disconnect between the themes and the performers begins or ends. Regardless, these are minor niggles for a production that has a cohesive vision of what it is trying to accomplish and the message it is trying to convey.
A unique visual experience with well-executed abstract storytelling, “Visualizations” finely walks that line between art and pretension and audience reaction will vary. However, there is no denying that Abdolrahman Sarraei presents a unique title with substance, one who can convey the struggles of the soul and the weight one can succumb to in committing their life to artistic expression. It is certainly worth checking out for those who enjoy challenging and experimental cinema.
