Navigate the Maze of Ukraine’s Past

Read Time:4 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
La Palisiada
–

Genre: Crime, Drama
Year Released: 2023, 2024 Film Movement+
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): Philip Sotnychenko
Writer(s): Philip Sotnychenko
Cast: Andrii Zhurba, Novruz Pashayev, Oleksandr Parkhomenko, Valeria Oleynikova, Olena Mamchur, Oleksandr Maleev, Stepan Barabash, Serhii Luzanovskyi
Language: Ukrainian with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available November 15, 2024, on www.filmmovementplus.com or Film Movement Plus on Amazon Prime Video

RAVING REVIEW: LA PALISIADA is not just a stroll through a crime drama; it's a plunge into the chaos of Ukraine’s post-Soviet landscape, cleverly orchestrated by writer/director Philip Sotnychenko. This film, structured around a dual timeline, demands its audience’s participation to piece together its multi-layered narrative. Navigating this complex social and personal upheaval isn't just an act of passive viewing but an interactive puzzle-solving adventure. The pacing is deliberate, and the narrative's intricacies require your full attention, rewarding those who engage with a resonant exploration of societal fractures and personal scars.

The movie challenges traditional narrative structures by entangling two distinct timelines. Initially, it situates us in the contemporary lives of a young artist and her unreliable partner, pivoting to the turbulent 1990s to follow their parents—investigators embroiled in a convoluted murder investigation. Sotnychenko's defiance of linear storytelling reflects the era's chaotic socio-political climate and draws the audience into an active engagement, piecing together fragmented scenes to form a comprehensive narrative.

Sotnychenko’s directorial approach sets LA PALISIADA apart in visual style and thematic substance. Eschewing the polished aesthetics of conventional cinema, he opts for a raw, handheld filming technique that infuses the film with gritty realism and keeps viewers aware of the filmmaking process. This method ensures we never forget the camera's presence, acting almost as a character in its own right, documenting a reality that Sotnychenko reconstructs before our eyes.

The film’s title encapsulates its core with the terms 'policed' and 'palisade,' hinting at the cyclical entrapment within systemic issues. This naming choice cleverly alludes to the dual themes of policing and the barriers to uncovering truth, reinforcing the narrative’s focus on cycles of corruption and the elusive nature of justice.

In a move that underscores the film’s thematic aspects, LA PALISIADA employs repetition and mirrored sequences that reflect the cyclical nature of historical and societal issues. These stylistic elements are not merely aesthetic but carry significant weight, accentuating themes of corruption and unresolved societal tensions. As the film unfolds, these patterns reveal how the characters' actions and experiences echo across generations, adding a profound layer of complexity to the story.

The narrative design fosters a sense of pervasive surveillance, amplifying the theme of truth as a construct manipulated by those in power. One standout scene, which displays an investigative experiment from various angles, highlights this manipulation, showcasing Sotnychenko’s adeptness at multi-perspective storytelling. This approach not only enhances the film's experience but also prompts viewers to question the reliability of the judicial and political systems depicted in the narrative.

LA PALISIADA features intentionally understated performances, emphasizing authenticity over melodrama. This choice might challenge viewers accustomed to more overtly emotive performances but brilliantly complements the film’s sober atmosphere and surveillance theme, depicting a society where expressions are monitored and genuine emotions are concealed.

Ultimately, LA PALISIADA transcends typical cinematic experiences by offering a deep, reflective look into the interplay of history, memory, and truth within a society marked by its tumultuous past. It’s a film that not only depicts a narrative but also invites its audience to dissect the layers of historical and societal narratives, leaving a lasting impression about the nature of truth and the impact of history on contemporary life.

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[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT PLUS]

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