I loved the way the film starts. We get bits and pieces of a mystery and great visuals; a gun, a map, an old clock – to chew on. The color palate in and of itself immediately sedates one with tension. We watch and wait for something to happen. Subtleties develop our three characters. We do know that there is a secret, and we’re left guessing at what the ultimate reveal will be.
One of the greatest features to “State (Remix)” is its use of sound, or lack thereof. Sound and silence are critical elements to the suspense. There’s no dialogue in the beginning of the story, as Alain Nouvel lets the imagery do the talking. When talking does begin, it’s a sharp and cacophonous change that gives the film a horror like feel to it. I also enjoyed the use of songs included in the soundtrack.
The three stars do a splendid job in putting forth emotionally charged performances. Patrick Cragin steals the spotlight as the mysterious “Young Man” who we first see lurking amidst the shadows. The young man has a relationship with the other two players; carnal with Courtney Sturm, and (seemingly) familial with Myles Macvane who portrays an old man harboring an intense secret.
Cragin and Macvane’s characters have highly intense interactions. The relationship is developed in a succinct amount of time, and the banter is perfect. “There’s a difference between lying and telling a story.” The old man explains. “You’d be too young to remember”. “Or too fucking old to believe”. The retort is fired back in a natural sounding way.
Filmed in Washington DC on a budget of $20,000, “State (Remix)” is an indie film that can be enjoyed for its artistic value as well as an intriguing and thrilling story. At 64 minutes it doesn’t waste a single frame, and will shock you with it’s ultimate conclusion.
