Indonesia
Dead Time
Review by Kiefer Doerksen.
Few films are able to mix genres as convincingly as this noir/action/fantasy/horror film does. Director Joko Anwar weaves in commentary on political unrest in Indonesia as well as mob mentality in general. But that all takes a back seat to the film’s main focus - entertainment. Janus is a reporter who accidentally lands in a dangerous conspiracy when he records a secret message from the widow of a murder victim. Whoever hears this message soon finds themselves face to face with a fearsome ghost, followed by a gruesome death. Janus has another problem; he is a narcoleptic who is triggered by excitement. This creates an interesting inversion to the action scenes; whenever Janus comes close to danger, the screen fades black and Janus wakes to find a considerable amount of time has passed. Following him every step of the way is Eros, a detective determined to find the truth behind the original homicide as well as the connection between the on-going series of murders.
Beautiful, shadowy cinematography helps underscore the noir elements of the film. As the killings become more elaborate, the conspiracy begins to lead to high levels of government, and the characters soon discover the rules by which ghosts and men must abide. The originality of how the characters utilize and play within these rules is the filmmaker’s greatest accomplishment. Anwar manages to cross genres without contradicting their varying styles and, in the process, he creates something new. The final act may seem ‘hokey’ but it’s also thrilling. Heroes and villains show down against each with guns, swords and some wire-fu choreography. Really, I can't think of a more fitting ending for this fun hybrid.
Dead Time
Joko Anwar | Indonesia | 2007 | 105min
Thur. Oct. 4 | 6:45pm | Empire Granville Theatre
Fri. Oct. 5 | 2:30pm | Empire Granville Theatre
Mon. Oct. 8 | 2:30pm | Empire Granville Theatre