Blue Sunset Review from Enchanted Architect!
Showing the world of the extreme and horror that he cannot be pigeonholed into one genre, Severed Cinema’s poster boy, Domiziano Cristopharo comes out all tech blazing with Blue Sunset, a science fiction piece that is a masterclass in cyberpunk and a throwback to the MTV inspired video shelf haunting sci-fi flicks of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Taking a lot from Philip K. Dick, it seems, and presenting not so much a landscape of dull concrete and metal jungles for mausoleum-like cities of the future, the main story is set in simple rooms reminding me of the original 1984 presentation with Peter Cushing.
Our main character is Silver 02, a man who works for a company called Nova. We meet him as he stares out at what looks like the BFI cover for their special edition release of Metropolis, but it is in fact the city beyond his window. Wandering around Domiziano’s home… I mean sorry, Silver 02’s future-based apartment whilst wearing Elton John styled spectacles, our man receives a call from his operator, Mia. To cut the conversation down to basics and facts about the plot beginnings, Silver 02 is a programmer whose function is to implant dreams into virtual reality video games. He has deadlines to keep for a very impatient Nova.
The first signs of things to come is a hacker infiltrating his virtual reality wet dream with his cyber girlfriend, Wasp. The intruder speaks of releasing the citizens from Nova and tells Silver 02 he will be the change. Upon awakening, he’s greeted by an associate who sells illegal mind-altering drugs far beyond Novas. Sampling such delights thus has serious side effects.
However first off, Mia tells him how impressed they are with his latest work, which he is confused about having been still working on it all, but now they want him for a brand new project (Night Owl) involving CIA inspired mind control techniques instead of dreams. He states that it always comes down to control and power. Mia tells him they have rewards for him, certain toys since he loves to play so much. They have also sent Silver 03, his upgrade who will aid him in his work. Silver 03 is simply a head which incidentally is a spitting image of Marilyn Manson circa 1990s. He explains they will build new concepts in advertising which will create endless mindless slaves.
Silver 02 understandably freaks out, more so when wires entwine and wrap around his arms from the talking cranium. He throws Silver 03 aside after smashing it into the floor. The hacker returns and requests to be let in, not for Silver 02 to allow Nova to stay within him. Suffice to say, the next day Mia isn’t too happy with the ‘accident’ which befell Silver 03 and orders a complete reprogramming. Things begin to change…
So begins Silver 02’s downwards spiral into realms beyond his comfy apartment and his mind. Reminding me somewhat of the stories which circulated the classic UK comic, 2000ad in the ‘80s, Blue Sunset works so well on many levels. It’s a paranoid mind fuck which doesn’t go too far out with effects and gore, instead like The House Guest (see review here) also starring Daniele Arturi, gradually builds itself to a huge payoff. Like the Philip K. Dick novels and short tales (less for most of the filmed attempts) we are sometimes unaware of what is real and what isn’t and this has the darkness and atmosphere of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil and the classic Dark City in the mix.
It’s the little details which niggle me only slightly. I would have preferred the rooms to be barren, empty bleak walls and such to give everything that sterile look (plus not having it all look like Domiziano’s place as I said above) but the constant cool blue allows some artificial looks to his reality.
A lot of people could be totally unprepared for this next level Domiziano, yet it could be seen coming from as far back as 2018’s eROTik (see review here) a carefully plotted more complex emotional storytelling which pokes gently before unleashing sheer pandemonium.
Daniele, as usual, steals the show with his central performance and his other parts (playing four roles altogether) but the film allows everyone a fair bite at the acting cake throughout. Enchanted Architect mainstay, Chiari Pavoni has a part, and Domiziano grabs a cadaver cameo himself.
The effects work is sublime for the money involved, only now and then does things appear a bit ropey, but there is a fast-paced theme when the creations kick in which really blows your mind. Did I also spot an Altered States tribute moment and some Tetsuo homages along the way?
No offence intended to the wonderful TetroVideo, but I wish this film, along with a few more of the recent ones could gain wider distribution and reach more open-minded and way-out people instead of just sitting on one label and one website. Works such as this deserve applause and if unleashed could command a lot of respect.
Blue Sunset will further cement an already solid reputation for Domiziano as a visionary director and also as a writer. This time ‘round inventive pen scribbling duties are shared with the marvellous Andrea (The House Guest, Doll Syndrome) Cavaletto and together they have formulated a nice little epic with a classy old school ending.
Blue Sunset is a total techno nightmare with some neat messages along the way to absorb whilst witnessing madness unfold.
Editor’s Note: Blue Sunset will initially be an Enchanted Architect limited release of 100 pieces which will come with an illustrated book (in Italian) plus the DVD (inside the book) and a signed card.
Directed by: Domiziano Cristopharo | Written by: Domiziano Cristopharo, Andrea Cavaletto | Produced by: Domiziano Cristopharo | Cinematography by: Domiziano Cristopharo | Editing by: Domiziano Cristopharo | Music by: Danilo Del Tufo and various others | Special Effects by: Athanasius Pernath | Cast: Daniele Arturi, Irene Baruffetti, Alessio Cherubini, Antonio Ciro Cerretta, Elisa Carrera Fumagalli, Chiara Pavoni, Domiziano Cristopharo | Year: 2021 | Country: Italy | Language: Italian (English subtitles) | Colour: ColourRuntime: 1h 8 min
Studio: Enchanted Architect
