Thought-reader Joseph (Sebastian Saville) is undergoing a new procedure which mixes computer analysis, brain monitoring, and psychotherapy. It takes him deep within into his soul and causes him to reflect on his past, present and future. These thoughts are seen as snippets of footage on grainy surveillance-type video, newsreels that reveal Joseph's inner psyche and memories, and some seemingly normal scenes played out in various scenarios. These are all accompanied by Joseph's poetic voice-over, Jane Arden's score, and the occasional question or reflections noted by the analyst Professor Zanof (also played by Saville).This film will be hard to review as I just couldn't come to any clear conclusions on the film's point or themes. It is clear to see that Joseph is in fact not a very nice man, peddling drugs when he's not reading people's thoughts at card games. This is pretty much the only thing that made logical sense. It is, however, not a film to be watched and enjoyed, but a film to experience. After a while, I just rested my brain and simply watched what was happening in front of me. The film is dazzling, confusing, eerie, atmospheric, and occasionally actually gripping. Co-director Jane Arden is something of a cult national treasure, who dabbled in theatre and feminism in her somewhat diverse body of work, and she brings intelligence and artistic flair in which what could have been a pretty dull art project. Thankfully the film stays just on the right side of pretentious.
Directed by: Jane Arden, Jack Bond
Starring: Sebastian Saville, Suzan Cameron, Liz Saville
Country: UK
Rating: ****
Tom Gillespie
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