Beyond the Black Rainbow

Plot synopsis:
In the 1960s, Dr. Arboria founded the Arboria Institute, a New Age research facility dedicated to finding a reconciliation between science and spirituality, allowing humans to move into a new age of perpetual happiness. In the 1980s, Arboria's work has been taken over by his protégé, Dr. Barry Nyle. Outwardly a charming, handsome scientist, Nyle is in fact a psychopath who has been keeping Elena, a young girl, captive in an elaborate prison that doubles as a hospital beneath the Institute. Elena demonstrates psychic capabilities, which Nyle can suppress, using a glowing, prismatic device.
In an effort to understand Elena's abilities, Nyle subjects her to daily therapy sessions, which take the form of interrogations, during which Elena only communicates by way of telepathic demands to see her father. By night, Elena is kept in a brightly lit, completely white room, with only a television for companionship. Nyle spends his own nights at home with his wife, a docile, servile woman who gives Nyle endless praise and exists in a state of constant stupor. Nyle takes massive quantities of prescription medication and disguises his complete lack of hair and the color of his irises by way of an elaborate wig and contact lenses.
Attempting to elicit an emotional response from Elena, Nyle speaks to her about her dead mother, who he calls "beautiful" and "desirable". He then hints to her that a photo of her mother might be in her room. Later she discovers the photo under her bed.
That evening, Margo, (a nurse or orderly who works with Elena), is about to go home when she discovers Nyle's case notes on Elena in a wall cavity. In it are strange symbols and images that indicate Nyle's violent sexual obsession with Elena. Fearful of what the notes contain, Margo puts the notes back. Soon afterwards, Nyle receives a phone call and rushes back to the Institute where he discovers ash from Margo's cigarette near the case notes. Nyle takes a psychedelic drug to calm himself.
Suspicious of Margo, Nyle informs her the next day that Elena has somehow smuggled contraband into her room. When Margo attempts to forcibly take the photograph from Elena, Elena kills her by psychically crushing her head. Nyle, monitoring Elena's actions, is intrigued by this blatant display of psychic ability and pleased at Margo's death. He allows Elena to leave her cell, then activates the prism, causing her to convulse and pass out. While unconscious, Elena is approached by a massive entity in a red space suit (identified as a "Sentionaut"), who injects her with a syringe before walking off.
Nyle goes to see Dr. Arboria, now aged, somewhere on the grounds of the Institute. Displaying signs of senility, Arboria remains either ignorant or indifferent of Nyle's psychosis, regarding him as his best protégé. A flashback to 1966 reveals that Elena's mother was Dr. Arboria's wife, who was present when Arboria himself led a young Nyle through a procedure meant to allow him to achieve transcendence. As a part of the procedure, Nyle was submerged in a vat of black liquid, providing him with hellish, otherworldly visions; Nyle emerged from the vat insane, fatally attacking Mrs. Arboria. An unperturbed Dr. Arboria is shown submerging the infant Elena in the black liquid. Back in the present, Nyle kills Arboria by administering a drug overdose.
Nyle returns home and presents himself to his wife without his wig or contacts and tries torturously to explain his inner pain to her before crushing her head. Meanwhile, Elena makes her torturous escape from the Aboria Institute, encountering a zombie-like "mutant" which attempts to eat her in an air shaft as well as an entire room full of Sentionauts, who are suspended immobile in a large, factory-like chamber. Nyle, having dissolved his final contact to the material world, collects a ceremonial dagger he calls "The Devil's Tear-Drop", and heads out in pursuit of Elena. While chasing her through the woods surrounding the Institute, he encounters a pair of "heshers", who he kills with his dagger after insisting one of them had sex with Elena.
Nyle eventually corners Elena in a clearing and repeatedly implores her to "Come to me". Elena uses her psychic abilities to keep Nyle's feet planted in the ground. Trying to leap forward, Nyle flings his head fatally onto a rock. Free of her captor, Elena follows the light generated by a television set to a nearby town. Following the credits, the camera focuses on an action figure of a Sentionaut lying on a carpet. A voice can be heard, recorded in reverse, before the film ends. Played in reverse, the voice says "I've lost visual contact. Do you read? Repeat, do you read?"

Tags: boring, sci-fi

Review:
You will love it if: 1: You felt 2001 could have been even slower paced and still be awesome 2: You love really thinky sci-fi even if it doesn't involve people shooting aliens 3: You are crazy in love with 80's hair styles and weird synth music (this movie takes place in 1983, and takes that responsibility VERY seriously) 4: You loved Agent Smith's delivery of lines in The Matrix, and would have liked it if he talked even more slowly and threateningly 5: You think the only good sci-fi is 70's Russian sci-fiYou will hate this movie if: 1: You enjoy having more than one person deliver lines over the course of two hours (basically one speaking part in this movie, though the actor does a good job) 2: You don't like when movies are very, very pretentious 3: You like your movies to generally make an effort to make sense (at one point I swear the main guy gets a phone call from Speak-n-Spell) 4: You don't like when movies spend a considerable amount of their running time trying to injure the viewer's senses 5: You like a really good ending (if you look over the reviews, whether people loved or hated this movie everyone agrees the ending was weak)All things considered, I really liked this movie, and so did the people I saw it with.
But if you are into drony synth scores, atmospheric horror cinematography a la Dario Argento, viscerally creepy characters, and slow-moving psychedelia (if you have, um, access, you should really heed the director's advice before starting to watch this), then it's pretty freakin' awesome.
There is a new talent among us, and we as film fans should be grateful that someone like Panos Cosmatos has the balls to do things his way and present something that at the very least, is something f***ing different and refreshing.I'll leave you with this, take from it what you will, I once showed one of my favorite sci fi's to a friend who is a die hard Star Wars fan, he hated it and thought it was stupid and slow; it was 'THX 1138' by George Lucas..
Don't get me wrong--this movie is trying and succeeds to a varying degree at capturing a certain style and certain flavor of suspense horror film---the director is quite clearly a fan of early Cronenberg--there's not just the obvious nod to Scanners but there's nods to The Brood and Shivers and even a slight one to videodrome in here as well (at least i thought i caught those maybe i'm wrong i don't know) and there are nods to other scare films of the early 80's as well--and certainly the whole tone and pace and set design and wardrobe and just everything about it is very much on the money for a suspense film from the early part of that decade--but i don't know, the movie also had a sort of sleepy effect on me---like as psychedelic as the director wants the movie to be (and it definitely is) you can only indulge in that kind of style so much before you just end up putting a guy like me into a kind of coma--and not the cool trance like one that i'm sure the director was hoping his film would have on its audience.
Director Panos Cosmatos (what a name!) and his team have to be complimented for their imaginations.The film itself is a tribute to sci-fi B-movies, but more than that it feels like a defense of experimental film itself: the strange is cooped up, institutionalized and dissected while the world of banal blockbusters rages outside.
The instant I saw the trailer I was certain this was my kind of film, vague dialogue hinting a hidden depths, long drawn out scenes with sinister undertones and beautifully crafted futurism styled sets (maybe a little to Kubrick-esk) but still great looking.
The set design is beautifully crafted, and the high photography levels of some of the scenes is something to be admired, but on occasion a little arbitrary as some scenes did not drive character or narrative forwards nor did it express or emphasis emotions.The narrative is overly grand which I like (keep it simple) and is deliberately slow and off-paced, which will definitely separate the film lovers from the average watcher that may have stumbled across this film, as you will need to invest a little concentration.
Unfortunately he didn't quite create the level of intrigue found in a Kubrick film or a deliver the ruptured reality of a Lynch film and missed the overall depth of a Tarkovskiy film, but it wasn't without it's own moments.Definitely worth your time - A steady start from a new director but it's worth remembering art house isn't an exact science, hopefully he will get the chance to produce more in the future..
This might be true, but then it is the longest 103 minutes of unrelated, sensory-mocking works of art that I have ever experienced.I think, generally, that if you want to make a movie, you should think of a story you would like to tell.
You might also consider giving you characters some lines to bring out their personality to the viewer (honestly, almost any lines but these would have done well) and maybe engage the different characters in meaningful(well, they don't really have to be that meaningful) conversations to bring forward the plot or clear up the characters motives(nope, none of that ether).At the end of the day, filming an out of focus quiet girl with no facial expression in a room with a strange red light to the soundtrack of a broken light bulb for an obscene amount of time, simply cannot(in my book) be considered making a movie.
. .Instead of a conventional plot, the film focuses on a single situation, really more of a concept, about a dystopian psychiatric facility set in an imaginary future, actually a hazy recollection of early 80's sci fi references, and Kubricks geometric set design pieces from the 60's and 70's.Writer/director Panos Cosmatos would have you believe that 'Black Rainbow' is a think piece about the nature of mind control and constructed identity, and although the idea is worthy of our attention, the sheer lack of real character motivations, plot depth and content make most of the film feel like an empty production exercise, in which piles of artificial film grain, monochromatic lighting and veeeerrrrry slow dialogue replaces significant story development.
Beyond the Black Rainbow feels like a single scene played out over an entire movie without a relatable character anywhere in sight.There is however, a sequence of experimental, abstract film where we're shown some backstory as to how the movies antagonist became, well, evil and stuff.
The use of far-out visuals and stylized effects feel expansive and meaningful, if only for a short sequence.Panos Cosmatos inserts 80s pop culture references into the film, including bits of slasher movie material, bad 80s metal, blocky sci- fi interiors, droning synth noise etc, which might evoke a kind of retro aesthetic for younger viewers.
Again, no real substance in this movie, just a theme and some set design pieces, unfortunately.Narrative themes depicting telepathy, drug abuse, surveillance and restraint are all played out heavily in almost slow-motion sequences to create a creepy atmosphere throughout, making this something of a horror film, but its certainly not a professionally made movie, and doesn't really deserve the mystique of being a proper cult item..
I'm not discussing the 'movies' storyline, because there simply isn't one)The different (read differing) chapters of 'Beyond the black rainbow' are very creative indeed, but the emotions and feelings every single one is trying to trigger are not fitting together AT ALL.To me, it sort of feels like every chapter was made by a different person (or every chapter represents one or two ideas) and then they were sticked together without ANY thought.
Other parts that ought to be important to the plot have no explanation.Other scenes have the camera lingering for long periods of time on basically nothing the the background of the set.Still more boring scenes with slow cross-fades between two faces back and forth about six times, while nothing is happening.There are so many better sci-fi movies that actually give you a clue about what is going on.Can't understand why this movie has a rating this high on IMDb. Don't waste your time..
This is a big call but, I consider this film to be one of the best sci- fi / horror films I've ever seen.Stylistically, it owes a lot to Kubrick, Argento and Ridley Scott but still manages to carve a niche of own rather than be bogged down or overwhelmed by these influences.It looks like it may have been shot on HD but don't let that deter you at all because the cinematography is stunning - there's rarely an "ugly" or bland shot in the entire film and, there's a wonderful texture to some of the images via a really expressive use of light and colour.The plot itself is sparse much like the sets and the dialogue but this deliberately minimalist approach allows the viewers imagination space to explore possible tangents that could easily have been stifled by excessive detail or explication.
I suppose that while the foregoing hour and a quarter had been an homage to Kubrick/2001 style and pace, the ending was an homage to a typical cheesy 80's slasher chase.Does pasting those totally different elements together make any sense?No. And neither does enduring the film.There is a similarity of the images to those experienced under psychedelic drugs like LSD or a strong phenethylamine.
The movie absolutely overdoses on Kubrick-inspired design, vigorous lighting schemes and the fact that it is so slow paced will likely create a hypnosis where the viewer will just get lost in every single image presented one after another (though I don't speak for everyone) and a dry story keeps from distracting us from focusing on the visual treat.
(I don't mind this way of story telling with information left out but this movie just left out too much and it felt like you are watching a summary of an actual movie)Then, the 30% leading up to the end was going at the speed of light, which also led up to a very unsatisfying ending in my opinion.
And that's the mood and atmosphere, a fitting soundtrack, the visuals and cinematography, cool filters and editing, strange and interesting characters, and the kind of dialogue that I would happily listen to on a loop to accompany dark electro ambient music.If plots, answers and explanations are your thing, then best avoid this.
The stylised nature of the environment adds to plot tremendously, as it gives you something to look at as characters stumble metaphors and receive a moody closeup now and again.In summery if you're going to watch it, stop before the end and, if you insist on continuing into the dire last minutes, hold dear that this film almost certainly has a better, interesting, ending locked in a Hollywood vault or the mind of its aspiring writer..
Although the story might look a bit confused at first, most of the shots have a purpose in advancing the plot or developing the characters For example instead of having a minor character explaining how the facility controls Elena's power, the movie uses tasty visuals and sounds to the same effect, in a masterful demonstration of "show, don't tell".While I don't mind the change of mood in the ending, I still think it's by far the weakest part of the movie.
If you like to see glaring colors fade from Blue, to Red, to White, back to Red again (all the while a monotonous drone playing in the background) - then this film is just for you!Basically, it comes down to a bunch of art-fags trying to impress the Hollywood elite with their version of illuminati symbolism wrapped in New-Age mumbo-jumbo - as if their worship of the "self" will lead us all into a higher state of consciousness, whereby we will all become enlightened beings and leave the rest of the unevolved ape-men behind in our journey to god-like consciousness.You see, I didn't even have to watch the last hour of the movie & I could already tell where the whole thing was going - because it's all still a part of the same old story, which is the same old lie.If you're into doing your "Zen" thing and staring at a whole bunch of nothingness, by all means, step right up to the plate and ingest a huge serving of vacuous colors and sound..
Because underneath or (beyond) the interesting colors, sets, and sound there is literally a void.An experimental retro-80's look and a virtually wordless script is what we get and considering the non explanatory nature of the story it could have used a few more words and a lot less of the experimental.Going for a mesmerizing movie with a mind numbing slow pace about mind control and a hint at psychedelic cerebral comatose, the Director finishes with a complete cop out and is reticent to resolve things with the conviction of the unconventional and becomes conventional.An artistic template and a hypnotic style is on display with little else that solidifies, leaving this a self-indulgent misfire that needs more heart and less mind..
I think this is one of the best debut pictures, from young directors.I won't describe what's already been described by other reviewers, though i need to say that besides the influences from Kubrick, Argento, Saul Bass, it also has some scrip lines, framing compositions and a certain dialogue vibe that David Lynch has in most of his films.And that being said, i recommend to watch this movie twice, to get all the hints, all the symbolic elements.
She does a wonderful job and i think most of the audience will feel empathy and resonate with her character.The ending may not be everybody's cup of tea, but i guess it fist very well within the movie, if you interpret it in a certain way.I hope Panos will direct one more time in the following years, because the number of good independent/non blockbuster movies is getting smaller every year.
If you are someone who just likes to watch weird movies, then spout off about the metaphorical depth of the film after reading other peoples reviews , then this is for you.
The film is frustrating to view at times with the lack of a clear explanation sometimes feeling like a cop-out, but at its best, 'Beyond the Black Rainbow' is an unnerving and unsettling experience with brooding music, haunting shots that glide over mysterious ceilings, lots of foreboding red light filters and eerily antiseptic white sets.
The actor who played Dr Barry did a terrific job.The score: 10/1080s music is not my thing but it suited the movie perfectly.The plot: 8.5/10 MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERSIt's a very basic storyline, but it moves at a snail's pace.A girl (with strange powers) is captive in a strange place where a doctor might (or not) help her escape .
Despite heavy sedation and various types of mind control, Elena tries to make a desperate escape.It has some pacing problems, being slow in many places, the dialogue is mostly from one character only -- our villainous doctor, the plot is not very linear - nor does it even attempt to explain itself at times, and the ending is a little disappointing.
I don't know whether it was the visuals (I loved the saturated, high contrast color palette that was different from scene to scene, it's one of the most interestingly shot films I can think of that I've seen recently), the deep, synth drenched soundtrack or just trying to figure out what the hell is going on, but it all meshed together perfectly for me.I can see why someone would dislike it.
But having read the wikipedia article, with all its fill-in-the-gap explanations, and then recapping the film in my mind, it actually plays out rather cohesively, especially if you understand that this movie is more than likely an exercise in experimental audio/visual masturbation.All that said, I like it.
If you enjoy films that provide an immersive experience, ones that you 'feel' rather than simply watch, you just may enjoy being sucked into the hypnotic world of Beyond the Black Rainbow, as I did.The acting in the film is fantastic, especially from the two principal leads, Michael Rogers (as Dr. Barry Nyle) and Ava Allan (as Elena).
However on some level it hit the right notes, mainly because it was one of the most faithful movies to replicate the early 80's feel of film making(think Cronenberg's movies and movies like Zardos, Altered States etc..) that I've ever seen to date.The essence and slow pace of the movie make it a more intimate view into some very creepy people.
Director Panos Cosmatos is such a visionary and I am so excited to see his second feature, regardless of whatever style it may be.Other than the absolutely incredible way the movie looks and other than how beautiful the soundtrack is(the music compliments the visuals better than any other film I've seen in a long time), the few actors involved are unforgettable.The two main characters are Elena and Barry Nyle.
Panos is willing to experiment and show a lot of his influences to the viewer without feeling ashamed about it.I don't think I will see a film as unique as this film for the rest of the year, maybe ever.Watch this movie and let it engulf you with its atmosphere and originality..
The movie pace is a little slow and not a whole lot happens, and sometimes confusing due to lack of dialogue or back story, but if you have an open mind or a pretty good imagination, then this shouldn't be as bad as every makes it out to be.