Dypets ensomhet (1995)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Directors:

Thomas Lien
Joachim Solum

Writers:

François Boucq (story)
Thomas Lien (screenplay) ...

Genre:

Drama | Short

Plot Keywords:

Kidnapping | Underwater | Scuba | Dog | Pool Cleaner

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Max von Sydow	...	Narrator
Knut Erik Haugen	...	Diver
Alexandra Perez-Seoane	...	Woman
Brutus	...	Dog
Linderud Eldresenter	...	Extras
Veitvet Eldresenter	...	Extras

Also Known As:

Depth Solitude (USA)
Loneliness of the Deep

Runtime:

7 min

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Filming Locations:

Finse, Norway

Quotes:

[first lines]
[English voiceover]
Narrator: A good job - as I always say - for a man, a good job is the key to a life in balance.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Short 2: Dreams (2000) (V)

Beautifully shot, potent, amazing...

I was immediately drawn to this 6 minute short because of the cinematography. The entire film takes place beneath the surface of a swimming pool and each shot is clean and beautiful, in stark contrast with the actions of the pool cleaner/bottom dweller. The sound, soundtrack and lighting increase the film's potency (particularly the scenes in which the cleaner opens the gate, 'walks the dog,' and carries the woman through the wall of bubbles, and my favorite, in which the woman first dives into the pool as if she's just burst from a brilliant explosion of light) and Max Von Sydow's narration puts it over the top...though it would have been terrific without.

While the cleaner dons ancient scuba gear and resembles a monster, we can still relate to his problems in a demented sort of way, whether through the image of him beneath those who do manage to stay afloat, his desire to create, the luxury of a comfortable job or the universal desire for companionship. At the heart of matters, though, the cleaner lives beneath the surface and his struggle for happiness, and the fact that happiness achieved actually becomes bothersome, leaves a lasting impression.

This film is out on a DVD entitled 'Short Cinema Journal, 1:2'. If you can find this video, or any others in the series, I recommend you buy it. They have finally allowed me entrance into the world of short film.