Capturing the Invisible
Now You See Me is a Work of Art
One of the things I most enjoy is getting the chance to see films from across the globe. Whether it is a documentary made in Europe or a feature film made in China, each allow us to see the artistic vision of men and women in different cultures. Thanks to the Internet, I get films from all over. Nevertheless, I was shocked when I received a package postmarked from Istanbul.
Written by: Attila Szász
Starring: Vitéz Ábrahám, Ernõ Fekete, Dóra Létay
Rated
Running time: 30 min.
FilmGuru's Rating : 10 out of 10.
From Hungary comes the short film by writer/director Attila Szász, Most látszom, most nem látszom (Now You See Me, Now You Don't). This quiet, reflective story revolves around a detached family trying to work through their emotional issues.
The mother (Dóra Létay) has been at odds with her son, Alex (Vitéz Ábrahám) who hasn't spoken to her in days. Her husband (Ernõ Fekete) has been working at the lab for days. It all takes an unexpected turn, however, when Alex suddenly vanishes. The mother believes this is the father's work, something he has done to their son.
The beauty of Now You See Me, Now You Don't is in the simplicity of the story and the complexity of the film direction. It is a study of the medium, using the lens as both an observer and a revealer of truth. Throughout the film there are a number of scenes showing reflections, whether in a metal ashtray or a cracked mirror. In this, the audience is being told that things are not as they appear. Scenes are shot through glass doors and glass bowls, suggesting a vulnerable fragility in the household.
The film also plays with audience expectations. A cracked mirror, for example, could indicate that the father has a violent temper or that the mirror was cracked in response to something else. The film stands out as an example of how to manipulate audience perceptions, but still tell the story well. In this, it's a bit like Alfred Hitchcock or M. Night Shyamalan, in that the whole truth is not always revealed until the end. Yet, looking back on the film, it's clear that the truth was being told all the time (from a certain point of view).
Despite all the imagery and subtext, Now You See Me, Now You Don't does not come off as pretentious. This is a professionally made short film with outstanding performances and film direction. Both as a piece of entertainment and as a work of art, this short offers an example of the excellent films being made outside the US.
For more on this film, visit: http://www.extremefilm.com/nowyouseeme/ and their official MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/attilaszasz
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