Sara Bentley reviews everyone's favourite part of the going to The Pictures - the trailers...
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A Walk on the Wild Side: Passion
When Darren Aronofsky’s masterpiece Black Swan (Natalie Portman) was finally released at the turn of 2011, through the awe and acclaim arose one simple reaction – ‘That scene’. The scene that, to this day, remains slightly shocking and slightly taboo. What exactly is Brian De Palma doing, then, with his latest release, Passion? This is the man who brought audiences Carrie (1976), Scarface (1983) and Mission: Impossible (1996). A director of huge esteem, though the past five years has seen a dry spell consume his career, De Palma jumps back onto the big screen with a story of power, lust and fantasy.
High flying and powerful Christine (Rachel McAdams) and Isabelle (Noomi Repace) are business partners. They ‘work well’ together. Amongst the high heels and the lipstick, however, lurks a sinister undertone. As the bold white letters P A S S I O N encased in red flames flash across the screen intermittently, the teaser trailer for Passion jerks forward from a soft introduction to a sudden surge of sexual tension between the two protagonists. Lust, adoration and love intertwine with power and force. Who is in charge here? What exactly is going on? The trailer flips from romance to dramatics, a sexual thriller to horror, in split seconds. Pulsating beats set unnerving undertones as one is swiftly reminded of Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut (1999) through its stark jaw dropping theatricality.
Is De Palma trying to bridge the gap between the acceptable and the downright shocking? From controversial to commercial? Does Rachel McAdams really need that boost to her career that only such a role as this would provide? Are we seeing something special here? Or are they all, quite simply, having a bit of fun?
Passion will hit major festivals this September, with commercial releases currently scheduled for early 2013.
Mysterious Power: The Master
‘Man is not an animal’. The words ring clear as a bowed figure seen through the shadowed panes of a window bangs his fists rhythmically against the glass. ‘We are not a part of the animal kingdom’, the voiceover claims. The words are spoken in almost hypnotic fashion; droned and monotone as if dictating to the masses. This speech is accompanied visually by various shots: a couple embrace passionately in a car; two males fight as their fingers close around each other’s throats; a girl sticks out her tongue. Animalistic action that somewhat contradicts the speech enlightening our ears.
The trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master paints an intriguing picture. For a theatrical trailer (albeit only a minute long), its vague approach and tempting nudges shout more of a teaser. There are signs and suggestive directions: the mention of a cult; a dangerous and violent man who would appear mentally unstable; a woman voicing her concerns for his safety. Though the actors themselves are recognisable, illustrating a feature of potential worth and quality, the characters are shrouded in mystery, as is the narrative. Only the period post-war setting rings clear.
Anderson is playing with intrigue. Who is ‘The Master’? A showcase of identifiable acting talent encased in enigma, it is a feature that will most certainly gain momentum and interest.
The Master is set for a UK release on 9th November 2012.
The Tame Shock Factor: My Uncle Rafael
When Sacha Baron Cohen caused controversy with the likes of Borat (2006), Brüno (2009), and his near the knuckle characterisations, it hastened to prove one thing. Through the shock, the embarrassment and the distain, an audience was there ready to lap it up. Marc Fusco’s My Uncle Rafael would appear to be aiming for these levels, albeit on a slightly tamer scale.
Rafael (Vahik Pirhamzei) is everyone’s ‘Uncle’. The bearer of advice, solutions, words of comfort, and the odd slap around the face here and there. Michele (Rachel Blanchard) is a TV Producer under pressure and must come up with a lead for a new reality show. With ‘Rafael the Reality TV Star’ in mind, the scene is set for an onslaught of garish humour. The trailer for My Uncle Rafael is certainly designed with this in mind. Jokes bounce of every wall, exaggerated acting adds theatricality, and Rafael is spotlighted as the slightly odd, slightly blunt and most certainly ‘out there’ character to grace the screen.
With its glamour and ‘Hollywood’ approach, Fusco’s latest release will admittedly in no way touch Cohen in the shock factor. The attempt is there, however, to produce something away from the simple ‘comedies’ that continue to hit screens. A potential watch.
My Uncle Rafael is due to be released in US Cinemas on 21st September 2012.
Sara Bentley![]()
A Walk on the Wild Side: Passion
When Darren Aronofsky’s masterpiece Black Swan (Natalie Portman) was finally released at the turn of 2011, through the awe and acclaim arose one simple reaction – ‘That scene’. The scene that, to this day, remains slightly shocking and slightly taboo. What exactly is Brian De Palma doing, then, with his latest release, Passion? This is the man who brought audiences Carrie (1976), Scarface (1983) and Mission: Impossible (1996). A director of huge esteem, though the past five years has seen a dry spell consume his career, De Palma jumps back onto the big screen with a story of power, lust and fantasy.
High flying and powerful Christine (Rachel McAdams) and Isabelle (Noomi Repace) are business partners. They ‘work well’ together. Amongst the high heels and the lipstick, however, lurks a sinister undertone. As the bold white letters P A S S I O N encased in red flames flash across the screen intermittently, the teaser trailer for Passion jerks forward from a soft introduction to a sudden surge of sexual tension between the two protagonists. Lust, adoration and love intertwine with power and force. Who is in charge here? What exactly is going on? The trailer flips from romance to dramatics, a sexual thriller to horror, in split seconds. Pulsating beats set unnerving undertones as one is swiftly reminded of Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut (1999) through its stark jaw dropping theatricality.
Is De Palma trying to bridge the gap between the acceptable and the downright shocking? From controversial to commercial? Does Rachel McAdams really need that boost to her career that only such a role as this would provide? Are we seeing something special here? Or are they all, quite simply, having a bit of fun?
Passion will hit major festivals this September, with commercial releases currently scheduled for early 2013.
Mysterious Power: The Master
‘Man is not an animal’. The words ring clear as a bowed figure seen through the shadowed panes of a window bangs his fists rhythmically against the glass. ‘We are not a part of the animal kingdom’, the voiceover claims. The words are spoken in almost hypnotic fashion; droned and monotone as if dictating to the masses. This speech is accompanied visually by various shots: a couple embrace passionately in a car; two males fight as their fingers close around each other’s throats; a girl sticks out her tongue. Animalistic action that somewhat contradicts the speech enlightening our ears.
The trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master paints an intriguing picture. For a theatrical trailer (albeit only a minute long), its vague approach and tempting nudges shout more of a teaser. There are signs and suggestive directions: the mention of a cult; a dangerous and violent man who would appear mentally unstable; a woman voicing her concerns for his safety. Though the actors themselves are recognisable, illustrating a feature of potential worth and quality, the characters are shrouded in mystery, as is the narrative. Only the period post-war setting rings clear.
Anderson is playing with intrigue. Who is ‘The Master’? A showcase of identifiable acting talent encased in enigma, it is a feature that will most certainly gain momentum and interest.
The Master is set for a UK release on 9th November 2012.
The Tame Shock Factor: My Uncle Rafael
When Sacha Baron Cohen caused controversy with the likes of Borat (2006), Brüno (2009), and his near the knuckle characterisations, it hastened to prove one thing. Through the shock, the embarrassment and the distain, an audience was there ready to lap it up. Marc Fusco’s My Uncle Rafael would appear to be aiming for these levels, albeit on a slightly tamer scale.
Rafael (Vahik Pirhamzei) is everyone’s ‘Uncle’. The bearer of advice, solutions, words of comfort, and the odd slap around the face here and there. Michele (Rachel Blanchard) is a TV Producer under pressure and must come up with a lead for a new reality show. With ‘Rafael the Reality TV Star’ in mind, the scene is set for an onslaught of garish humour. The trailer for My Uncle Rafael is certainly designed with this in mind. Jokes bounce of every wall, exaggerated acting adds theatricality, and Rafael is spotlighted as the slightly odd, slightly blunt and most certainly ‘out there’ character to grace the screen.
With its glamour and ‘Hollywood’ approach, Fusco’s latest release will admittedly in no way touch Cohen in the shock factor. The attempt is there, however, to produce something away from the simple ‘comedies’ that continue to hit screens. A potential watch.
My Uncle Rafael is due to be released in US Cinemas on 21st September 2012.
Sara Bentley
