Avalon

Released: 2001

Available On: Now Showing on MUBI

Director: Mamoru Oshii

Reviewer: Sarah Gonnet

 

We received free access to this film from MUBI, in exchange for an honest review.

I am a massive nerd in many areas, however I have very little experience of video games. As a result I may have missed out on some of the nuances/in jokes of this film, which is set in an illegal, virtual reality war game den. However I do understand the need for escapism through my love of film and books; and I greatly appreciated Avalon’s themes of reality vs fantasy; as well as the existential crisis of Ash- the main protagonist.

The plot of the film reminded me a lot of the Ghost in the Shell anime, which is not surprising, as Oshii directed both. The two films cover similar philosophical ground, although their sci-fi plots are also meticulously developed. Avalon is a Polish language film, and this adds something to the grittiness of the environments within the game, which are created using live-action footage. There is also something of a steampunk vibe about the costumes, especially those worn by Ash herself.

Also like Ghost in the Shell, Avalon quickly leads the audience to question reality. This is something which has reemerged recently, through the TV series remake of Westworld and the (less successful/intelligent) remake of Ghost in the Shell. It is also a question I have found myself asking in the last two years whilst doing something as simple as watching the news. All of this makes Avalon very relevant, even seventeen years after it was made.

Alongside the intellectual and action sequences of the film- the bond between Ash and her dog is one of the most romantic things I have seen in a while. This bond, more than anything else, left me keen to follow Ash to the end of her adventure. It also saved the whole picture from collapsing into unrelenting despair.