Christopher Webster [Celluloid 12.10.15] horror fantasy avant-garde



Lucile Hadzihalilovic's (Innocence), Evolution reportedly straddles the line between horror and surreal fantasy, inspired by "The Island of Dr. Moreau", which makes us supremely intrigued. I love Hadzihalilovic's films for their dreamlike exploration of childhood, the loss of innocence and sexual awakening so Evoution ranks high on my list of must sees in 2016.

A new international trailer has appeared for the film and it's as gorgeous and haunting as expected.


Synopsis:
A young boy living in a mysterious, isolated seaside clinic uncovers the sinister purposes of his keepers, in this exquisitely shot blend of body horror and surreal fantasy from director Lucile Hadzihalilovic (INNOCENCE).

Ten-year old Nicolas lives an austere and isolated life with his mother in a remote seaside community populated by women and other little boys about his age, but seemingly devoid of adult males. In a hospital overlooking the tempestuous ocean, the boys are all subjected to regular medical treatments – or, perhaps, some mysterious experiment. Only Nicolas seems to question what’s happening to him and his friends.

He finds an unexpected ally in a young nurse, Stella, whose kindness is a break from the severity that all the other women seem to reserve for their young charges. Increasingly suspicious that his mother and the nurses are lying to him and that something ominous is going on, he follows the women at night, determined to find out what they are up to. What he discovers on the beach signals the beginning of a nightmare from which he’s helpless to escape.

Influenced by H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau, this mesmerizing film approaches the concept of evolution from a truly unique perspective.




Recommended Release: Innocence




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Wumpus (5 years ago) Reply

Just saw this at the PIFF - very good stuff! "Haunting" is a good description.

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