review of bipolar short movie
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"art never comes from happiness" - With this strong statement on his wrist, the protagonist, author Andrew Gony, already states what this short movie is about.
Andrew Gony is the 29 year old author of the best selling novel "The Void". Aged 23 Andrew got diagnosted Bipolar Disorder, better known as Manic Depression. The movie shows one week during one of his manic phases and during one of his depressive phases. With love for the detail the director and actor Daniel Ruczko shows these two phases very impressively. Tattoos, the order of books and even an advertisement on TV conduct this 35 minute short movie into the direction it is supposed to go. The topic is not supposed to be palliated but to be shown realistically. During the manic phase the viewer experiences a man who needs to get rid of his spare energy; even whilst writing his book the protagonist looks everything but calm sitting on his computer. The exact opposite is the case during the depressive phase. Andrew can't gain energy to even get up. If so, it is just to get the bare necessities done. The focus alternates between different image details while both phases are shown simultaniously. But the film is built much more complex and through the details the plot is skillfully lead into another direction. The course of the disease is, unlike in most other movies, very realistic and not romantic. So the aim is to let the viewer participate on how the suffering person feels. This was exactly the what the filmmaker wanted to do and what he successfully accomplished. Additionally, the self composed music distinguishes the movie's calm atmosphere.
Production started in 2010 with writing the script. Daniel Ruczko as mainly responsible person with help from Florian Kelm on the post production as well as camera work, finished the shots within two weeks time and six months of post production.
At the moment the movie is on the desks of film festivals, mainly taking place in the USA. One really has to make a compliment to Daniel Ruczko for the project as this was his first experience for him at this scale. A very interesting topic for a movie, which combines the aspect of entertainment and the aim to clear things up on Bipolar Disorder and, at the same time.
The split screen works quite well in the realization and gave the director the possibility to twist the plot by showing details at the right place and time. The general public will have to keep patient for a moment before being able to see Daniel Ruczkos debut film as it will not be available to buy on iTunes and Netflix before early 2013.
Avids should watch out for several dates in selected cinemas which are organized at this very moment. Also the soundtrack will be available from April 2012.
For us, this movie is a definite insider's tip!