Theo Robertson's review of this title suggests that this film is worth a watch if you liked the nature of HBO show Oz, but didn't like the outlandish plots and events as it went on and this claim is a very valid one because this film really focuses very much on mood over narrative. What this produces is a film that is slow and oppressive and in this regard it is very convincing as a setting because as you watch you do feel the time passing slowly and with little to fill it apart from petty drama and violence, and you do feel the constant heat and tension of the cells where the threat of violence is constant.
In terms of plot we are basically put back before a massive lockdown occurred and shown what occurred that caused it. This essentially means acts of cruelty and violence between guards and inmates with a building tension within scenes. In regard to this aspect of the film it is really well done because it is hard to watch and difficult to really be part of what is happening. The downside of this is that the film is technically very light on plot and as such the slow movement is something you will feel. It also isn't very rewarding as a story or a film – it does give you a sense of immersion in the created world, but this is a tough sell and ultimately although it is building towards something, that "something" isn't really as strong as I would have liked.
The delivery supports the aim of the film and as such the direction and sets are convincingly real while the cast never feel like anything other than guards and inmates – even the presence of Nick Cave doesn't break the illusion. All of this side works and it does produce a memorably cruel and tough experience, but I really felt like I got through it rather than being rewarded with an engaging experience or a takeaway learning. This is the paradox I guess – the film is so good at producing an endlessly grim, pointless and depressing world that it turns watching the film itself into such an experience.
In terms of plot we are basically put back before a massive lockdown occurred and shown what occurred that caused it. This essentially means acts of cruelty and violence between guards and inmates with a building tension within scenes. In regard to this aspect of the film it is really well done because it is hard to watch and difficult to really be part of what is happening. The downside of this is that the film is technically very light on plot and as such the slow movement is something you will feel. It also isn't very rewarding as a story or a film – it does give you a sense of immersion in the created world, but this is a tough sell and ultimately although it is building towards something, that "something" isn't really as strong as I would have liked.
The delivery supports the aim of the film and as such the direction and sets are convincingly real while the cast never feel like anything other than guards and inmates – even the presence of Nick Cave doesn't break the illusion. All of this side works and it does produce a memorably cruel and tough experience, but I really felt like I got through it rather than being rewarded with an engaging experience or a takeaway learning. This is the paradox I guess – the film is so good at producing an endlessly grim, pointless and depressing world that it turns watching the film itself into such an experience.