Creature: The Art of Dance Meets the Magic of Cinema
Creature (2023)
Directed by Asif Kapadia
Starring Jeffrey Cirio, Erica Takahashi and Stina Quagerbeur
As seen at the 42nd Annual Vancouver International Film Festival
I know nothing about ballet. I have never even watched a ballet. After watching Asif Kapadia’s genre-busting film Creature, maybe I should start.
Presented in 2.39:1 Widescreen with a super loud audio mix, I had no choice but to become totally immersed in this unique cinematic experience. As a film, the content can be described as “avant garde.” With no preconceived notions about what a ballet performance is supposed to be, I knew only that I was seeing beautiful movement and imagery on the screen. I was immediately captivated and left with a feeling that few films have given me.
I like ambitious projects by ambitious directors. Lar von Trier’s Dogville (2003) comes to mind as a comparison for Creature. Dogville takes place on a single sound stage. None of the buildings are actual buildings, just lines of chalk that the actors pretend to move into, out of and around. Creature also takes place on a single stage, with only a few seconds of additional imagery, throughout its entire run time of 1 hour and 27 minutes. In both cases, I was immediately enamored with the films’ unique look and impressed by the director’s ability to realize their audacious vision in such a compelling piece of art.
In the role of Creature, dancer Jeffrey Cirio embodies a character who appears to be a lonely outcast in a peculiar world. His movements are a testament to what I imagine top-tier dance should be, but it’s his facial expressions that truly steal the spotlight. Through the contortions of his brow, eyes, and mouth, he conveys curiosity, confusion, horror, and defiance. Remarkably, not a single word is uttered by any of the film’s more than 20 characters. Instead, a disembodied narrator, voiced by Andy Serkis, occasionally utters hypnotic words. And let’s not forget the recurring telephone call from Richard Nixon to Neal and Buzz on the moon, which adds a unique tone to the narrative.
The other dancers, particularly Erina Takahasi in the role of Marie, also deliver impressive performances. Their fluid movements and sheer strength left me in a state of wonder. This feeling of awe managed to keep me engaged even as I tried to decipher the potential meaning or symbolism. I essentially told that analytical side of my brain to hush and simply relish the mesmerizing beauty unfolding on the screen.
Another factor that helped me silence my analytical mind and fully immerse myself in the experience was the incredible sound design. The captivating Vincenzo Lamagna score waged a friendly competition with the visuals for the title of my favorite aspect of the Creature experience. As the film drew to a close, the music won by a hair (or perhaps it was because it was the final sensation I absorbed?). The seamless synergy between what I saw and what I heard was so intricately intertwined that if one element had not shone as brilliantly as the other, the film simply wouldn’t have been as magical.
We owe a great deal of credit to cinematographer Daniel Landin for this achievement. Transforming a stage performance into a cinematic spectacle is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor, but the same guy who shot my favorite A24 film, Under The Skin, proved up to the challenge. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Disney+ rendition of “Hamilton.” Landin skillfully translates the choreography, atmosphere, and intensity into a genuinely cinematic experience, ensuring it doesn’t feel like a mere recording of a ballet.
I approached Creature with Optimum Immersion, and it definitely paid off. If I had fully read the film’s description beforehand, I might have thought, “This isn’t my cup of tea,” and missed out on this experience. I feel genuinely honored and fortunate to have witnessed such an ambitious film, enriched by exceptional visuals and sound courtesy of VIFF. I understand that this film may not resonate with everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. Perhaps, on the next occasion, you could skip the description and dive right in, opening yourself up to a similar blessing.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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