Determined to escape perpetually post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, Levi (Justin Benson) instead falls in with John (Aaron Moorhead), a kindred conspiracy theorist. After witnessing an inexplicable event in Levi’s apartment, the neighbours become intent on monetizing the paranormal activity by shooting a Netflix-style docuseries. Convincing themselves that they’re piecing together a grand puzzle consisting of (but hardly limited to) numerology, symbology, energy fields, and mass simulations, they plunge through the looking glass and tumble down a succession of rabbit holes.
Serving as directors, producers, editors, stars, writer (Benson) and cinematographer (Moorhead), this dynamic duo, last seen at VIFF with 2017’s The Endless, remain the standard bearers for DIY speculative cinema. Their on-screen chemistry and adroitness with cinematic sleights of hand anchor their latest film even as Levi and John spiral further into delusion. Ultimately, it’s Benson and Moorhead’s infectious enthusiasm for mining mystery and endless possibility from the mundane that makes this lo-fi sci-fi spectacle so captivating.
Media Partner
Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
USA
2022
English
Book Tickets
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Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music as Realized by Aram Bajakian, Stefan Maier and Anju Singh
Guitarist Aram Bajakian takes up the challenge issued to him by Lou Reed many years ago to perform the controversial noise album, Metal Machine Music. Plus Lou Reed performing Berlin from 2006.
Credits
Producer
David Lawson, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson
Screenwriter
Justin Benson
Editor
Michael Felker, Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
Production Design
Ariel Vida
Original Music
Jimmy LaValle
Art Director
Catherine Simon