Joshua Reviews Athina Rachel Tsangari’s ‘Attenberg’ [PIFF 2012 Review]

Slowly but surely, Greece is becoming a hot bed of not only political unrest (particularly in this economically stagnant time, where their economy is being hit harder than most), but also some of the most interesting pieces of cinema that this planet has to offer.   And no crew may be more at the forefront of Grecian cinema that those behind the pair of films, ‘˜Dogtooth’ and ‘˜Attenberg.’

As the latter prepares for its true theatrical debut later this year via Strand Releasing, the film has hit the Portland International Film Festival, and following quite an odd amount of buzz following its festival run last year, the film is not only one of this year’s most anticipated indie films, but it’s also one of its most oddly intriguing.

Greece’s 2011 Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language Film, ‘˜Attenberg’ comes to us from producer Giorgos Lanthimos and Athina Rachel Tsangari, the former being the visionary director behind the thought provoking but slightly overrated hit, ‘˜Dogtooth.’   This film, often described as a companion piece to that indie darling, follows the story of Marina, a young woman who not only holds very few close or intimate relationships, but ultimately finds herself physically repulsed by members of the opposite sex.   When her father is diagnosed with cancer, she decides to become his caretaker, and sparks a relationship with a young man, that changes everything.   Not at all as cut and dry as that description may be, ‘˜Attenberg’ is a richly dense and cryptically esoteric look into modern day Greece, and is a brooding character study of a young woman on the verge of maturity.

Visually, Tsangari is a definite talent.   Be it the intimate sequences, between man and woman or, if the opening gives us any hint, between woman and woman, that are allowed to breath so wonderfully given Tsangari’s still and meditative frame or the dream like moments of pure absurdity, ‘˜Attenberg’ is visually a film you’ll have a hard time forgetting.   The cinematography by Thimios Bakatakis is muted and earthy in its beauty, and gives the film a distinct sense of visceral realism that, given its sometimes cartoony moments, frankly shouldn’t be even close to this film.

Tsangari also proves to have much higher aspirations with this piece.   Structurally a run of the mill coming of age story, the film leaves the viewer with this deep sense of brood throughout a viewing of the film, all with these Bunuel-esque moments of surrealism, giving one a glimpse into what it is like to be a woman growing up in this distinct and singularly esoteric point in time.

However, all would be for naught if the performances were not half as good as they truly are here.   The whole cast is at the top of their game, particularly Ariane Labed, who plays our lead.   She may come off as slightly one note, but as the film progresses, her character’s change becomes not only emotionally palpable, but given her beautifully emotive face, you can see each and every machination on that oddly gorgeous mug of hers.   It’s truly a performance to behold, as are the supporting turns, all of which add a lot of depth to this film.

That said, the film is far from accessible.   The definition of a slow burn, the Looney Tune-esque vignettes of surrealism do add quite a bit of entertainment to the film, but will leave the inactive viewer striving to find out just what the hell Tsangari is attempting to get at with this piece.   If one is truly willing to give him or herself over to the film, there is a lot to be mined here, but that is a concept that is truly easier to be said, than to be done.

Overall, while ‘˜Attenberg,’ like it’s brethren ‘˜Dogtooth,’ isn’t for everyone, this is a film that everyone should truly give a chance to.   It may be a tad bit over long, and a bit meandering in moments, but what it also is is a truly moving look into what it’s like to grow up in this moment in time.   It’s not perfect, but with a bombastic score, fantastic performances, and meditative oddities, ‘˜Attenberg’ is a film unlike any you’ll see in theaters.

The film will play on the 15th at 6:15 pm  PST  at Lloyd Mall 6, and again on the 17th at 6:15 pm  PST  at Cinemagic.