BUCHAREST FILM AWARDS VLADA GOES TO LONDON DIRECTED BY ARTI SAVCHENKO Broke “up-and-coming” artists are so pervasive that they are almost cliché. And, like many graduation films, one becomes the core of Arti Savchenko’s Vlada Goes to London. Yet this telling of the familiar narrative adds a peppering of nuance which serves as a cautionary tale, REVIEW FILM reminding us that just because we have lofty dreams, we should not let them overwhelm our humanity. Unfolding over one chaotic night of Vlada’s dissatisfying career as a pizza delivery driver, we are presented with a core drive early on: Vlada needs to make enough to book a flight to London where she hopes to take the first steps in becoming a world-famous DJ. Once we look past this cookie-cutter narrative setup, Vlada Goes to London comes into its own. But perhaps not in a way many viewers will like. But that is exactly the point. Step by step, Savchenko submerges us in Vlada’s reality. From an argumentative boss to ungrateful customers to disrespectful acquaintances, we quickly find ourselves wedged in the unpleasant reality that is finding one’s feet in the world. While this decision to put the audience through such discomfort may initially come across harshly—through the sensation of discomfort—it slowly builds to a meaningful flourish. Seeing us slowly become torn with Vlada, questioning whether her frustration, outward aggression and apathy are results of her situation or simply facets of her character. Shely Nave tows this complex line perfectly, with her straight-faced, quick-talking performance consistently pushing us to dislike her while her position as the protagonist intrinsically tries to pull her back into our good books. All of these uncomfortable contradictions are reinforced by the film’s oozing style. Sfintii Apostoli 44, Sector 5, Bucuresti, 030167 +40 754 954 879 Submissions Office | Sfintii Apostoli 44, Sector 5, Bucuresti, 030167 www.bucharest-films.com contact@bucharest-films.com | +40 754 954 879 BUCHAREST FILM AWARDS VLADA GOES TO LONDON DIRECTED BY ARTI SAVCHENKO The images flitting between the orange glow of night streets to uncomfortably close, naturally lit interior arguments. The visuals are also accompanied by a refreshing amount of experimentation, with some instances working better than others. REVIEW FILM The score sits at the heart of the film. At once matter-of-factly reflecting Vlada’s dream and turmoil, with powerfully dark electronic tones evoking the same urban discomfort. After wading through the film’s narrative and stylistic discomfort, we arrive at a bizarre place. Left unsure of where to place Vlada. Immensely flawed, hopelessly self-centred and, at least in part, a product of her epoch she ends, again as too many films do, with an explosive release of pent-up emotion. A moment which, for me, fell flat given that the film was never about rooting for Vlada’s dream. Sitting firmly between tried-and-tested cliché and light experimentation, Vlada Goes to London is a confident film. Beyond its stylistic competence, its key strength is that it pushes its audience to see beyond what is shown on screen. Urging us to interrogate the character we are spending time with, prompting us to search the fringes of the narrative for cause and effect. A feat made even more impressive given the film’s commitment to pushing the audience away from its protagonist. And, it goes without saying, that much of the festival-bound audience who will be exposed to Vlada Goes to London will see more than a glimpse of themselves and their peers in the faces of its many dreaming urbanites. Leo Barton | Film Review Specialist BUCHAREST FILM AWARDS | INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Review approved by Ciprian Iacob - Festival Director of BUCHAREST FILM AWARDS Sfintii Apostoli 44, Sector 5, Bucuresti, 030167 +40 754 954 879 Submissions Office | Sfintii Apostoli 44, Sector 5, Bucuresti, 030167 www.bucharest-films.com contact@bucharest-films.com | +40 754 954 879
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