This is Vestiel's debut film and an unusual science fiction journey. French cinema is not known for this genre and as such is a bold seminal exploration. The entire film is seen from a single perspective whereby the viewer only sees and knows what the lead character experiences.Set in a post apocalyptic future, mankind has discovered a new energy source through a tree from which they are able to syphon energy to fuel a city. The denizens below are technicians who are promised paradise when they have completed their work and can return above. Our main character awakens in a confused mud soaked state and embarks on his journey of discovery. Along the way he is given clues as to what has gone wrong by broken machinery, lost transmissions and the revelation of more industrial mayhem. The journey isn’t without its problems.
The most testing element is the modern colour scheme the films makers chose to use in this film. Mostly grey scaled with blue and green colourisation, it is a bit too much to really see past. Even sci-fi films who use this technique give us a break in contrast and slight colour variations. The problem here is that the contrast is too contrasted, so on top of a confused plot, you also are somewhat blinded to everything to be seen. That said, it does engage and even though the ending is reminiscent to Darren Aronofsky's "The Fountain" it does not disappoint. Although badly received on release I think this film will gain a cult status in time as it is pretty ground breaking in its singular approach.
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