“Elephant 2022” is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that explores the dark side of human nature. In it, we witness the gradual unraveling of a college campus as an active shooter wreaks havoc and terrorizes the students. Through stunning cinematography and a haunting soundtrack, this film demonstrates how easily chaos can erupt and how quickly life can change in an instant. It’s a must-see for anyone who enjoys gripping drama and heart-pounding action.
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Review
“Elephant,” a 2003 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant, is not your typical high school movie. It’s not a feel-good movie, and it’s not exactly easy to watch. However, it’s a powerful and poignant piece of cinema that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.
The movie is loosely based on the Columbine High School massacre that took place in 1999, where two students went on a shooting rampage inside their school and killed 13 people before committing suicide.
“Elephant” follows several high school students throughout their day leading up to a school shooting. The film’s non-linear narrative jumps between different characters’ perspectives, showing their struggles with identity, friendship, and bullying.
The movie doesn’t delve too deeply into the perpetrators’ psychology or motivations for the shooting. Instead, it invites viewers to question the societal factors that may lead to such an act of violence.
Van Sant’s direction is elegant and understated, letting his actors inhabit their roles without being too heavy-handed with the camera. There are no sweeping musical cues or dramatic slow-motion shots in “Elephant.” It’s almost as if Van Sant wants you to forget you’re watching a movie so that he can immerse you in his characters’ experiences.
The cinematography by Harris Savides perfectly captures the blandness of suburban life juxtaposed with moments of suspense and terror. The long takes and tracking shots help add to the sense of realism in the film.
One standout scene in “Elephant” involves two boys practicing for their school talent show. They’re playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata together when one boy suddenly stops playing. The other boy asks him what’s wrong, but he doesn’t answer. They continue playing until the second boy stops as well. It’s a haunting moment that speaks volumes about their relationship without any dialogue.
Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of “Elephant” is its cast of mostly unknown actors. They bring an authenticity to their performances that’s rare to see in Hollywood films. Their naturalistic acting conveys the complexities of teenage life without resorting to cliches.
In an interview with The Guardian, Van Sant spoke about his casting process for “Elephant”: “We would go around looking for young people who had some kind of inclination towards acting, but mostly we were looking for people who were interesting and curious.”
One of the film’s most haunting moments comes near the end when the shooters enter the library, where many students are hiding. The scene is brutal and unflinching, leaving viewers feeling uneasy long after it’s over.
Despite its grim subject matter, “Elephant” received critical acclaim upon its release and won several awards at film festivals. It also sparked discussions about gun control and school shootings in America.
Overall, “Elephant” is a challenging yet rewarding piece of cinema that forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about our society. It’s a testament to Van Sant’s skill as a director and the power of cinema to provoke thought and conversation.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 94
- Release : 2022-09-12
- Genre : Drama
- Cast : Jan Hrynkiewicz as Bartek, Paweł Tomaszewski as Dawid, Ewa Skibińska as Bartek’s mother, Ewa Kolasińska as Danuta, Wiktoria Filus as Daria
- Crew : Kamil Krawczycki as Director, Kamil Krawczycki as Editor, Kamil Krawczycki as Writer, Agnieszka Białek as Editor, Jakub Mroz as Producer
- Popularity 1.14
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Tongariro Releasing, PISF
- Summary : Bartek lives in a village in the Podhale region, where he runs a small farm and takes care of his lonely and possessive mother. One day he meets Dawid, a slightly older man who comes to visit his family after many years of absence. Affection quickly develops between the two, followed by desire that Bartek suppressed for years.
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