Visitors

Visitors 2013

• Director: Godfrey Reggio
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: nameless people and a gorilla
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Nameless people and a gorilla
• Why? Philip Glass music
• Seen:  17 December 2023                 

        There are no subtitles but that’s OK because nobody says anything. Most of the film is a long series of close-ups of human faces (and, oh yes, the gorilla), some completely expressionless, at first, against a black background. Young, old, women, men, all skin shades. Gradually the faces, eyes, seem to be staring at the viewer, then watching something behind the viewer. There are shots of skyscrapers viewed from below against a black sky with fleeting white puffy clouds. There are shots of trees, birds, abandoned amusement parks, and empty lots. It’s all starkly black and white, accompanied by Philip Glass’s minimalistic music.

       It’s like an exhibit of black and white photographs, portraits, only they move. I love black and white photography, I love portraits of people I don’t know. There is no doubt a message her but I don’t care to think about it. I’m just hypnotised by the beauty and the slowness and the subtleties.

       Ah, so that’s what they’re watching!

       Stunning.

 5* of 5 but don’t expect a film, expect an art experience.