| 21 June 2010
In most other films, scrupulous loner George (Michael Piccarilli) would have
turned out to be a serial killer. Thankfully for his love interest, Sophie (Gaynor Howe),
Obselidia isn’t a horror movie. Instead it’s a thoughtful and beautifully-shot
treatise on our increasingly ephemeral society, set amidst the vacuity of Los
Angeles and the wastelands of Death Valley.
George has set out to make an encyclopaedia of obsolete things, or, as Sophie catchily titles it, an Obselidia. George is determined to make use of serviceable objects from the past, such as typewriters and pencils; Sophie encourages him to move forward into the future with hope. George actually meets Sophie while in the pursuit of his goal – he films her on an old video camera talking about her job as a silent-movie projectionist, and she becomes increasingly entangled in his work.
The production design by Alicia Marquez, and the cinematography by Zak Mulligan, each contribute to a visual feast, every location speaking volumes about the character who lives there. This helps to distract from the occasional overly long scene of discussion about the fate of the world thanks to Man’s environmental irresponsibility. These, unfortunately, tend to drag on and come across as preachy, rather than informative. When scenes are kept short and dialogue is minimal, however, this must count as one of the most stunning-looking films of the year.
If you can avoid scoffing at the occasional earnestness, Obselidia is a beautiful film with a likeable, offbeat hero, and some rather wonderful things to say about preserving those things we'd be tempted to throw away.
Monday 21st June, 17.30, Filmhouse 1
Wednesday 23rd June, 21.00, Filmhouse 3
Sunday 27th June, 20.15, Filmhouse 3
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