Victoria (2015)

Dec 16

They actually filmed a one-shot movie.

Presentation:

As other movies like Birdman, 1917, Boiling Point and Rec pretend they are shot in one take, this is the only film to actually be shot in one-take on the third try from 4am to 7am. This indie German film deserves every bit of acclaim for its ambitious premise and execution especially considering its low budget. The film primarily utilizes blue hour natural light and night time ambient and practical fluorescents to give us the gritty realism. For any one-shot movie it always begs the question of whether the gimmick adds to the story. I believe that it adds to the immersion and makes you feel like you are there, but the acting is just alright and I feel as though the format made compromises and lulls in the story to give enough preparation for the next scene.

Conclusion:

This is a film that cinephiles love the idea of more than the film itself. It has okay performances and an admirably difficult execution, but that doesn’t mean your enjoyment for a film should be charitable. You either like the film or don’t. I’d love to recommend it, but it was ultimately a very forgettable narrative with low impact other than the appreciation of filmmaking. But for students of cinematography, this should be a great source of inspiration for the indie filmmaker.

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