Rating of
2.5/4
"Dante 01" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 10/21/12
An enigmatic stranger is introduced into the population of a space station containing a collection of the criminally insane being used as guinea pigs for experimental treatments. Being directed as it was by one half of the team responsible for Delicatessen and The City Of Lost Children, Dante 01 is as visually pleasing as you'd expect. There is some beautiful imagery and use of colour and the premise intriguing in a kind of cross between Solaris and The Experiment. The script is packed with references to religion and classic literature to the point where I think you may need a PhD in philosophy to have the slightest clue what the film is actually about as little is explained and the conclusion is one of those Manga style existential spectacles that are utterly baffling to the uninitiated. The strong performances and attractive styling will keep the attention of those not too troubled by the lack of coherent narrative but anyone requiring a plot that's easy to follow and self explanatory will find it frustratingly pretentious. A genuine oddity that's worth a look for anyone seeking something a little different to the usual formulaic sci-fi.
