This film is brilliant and stunning in its visuals and story. The filmmaker has created a world that is both believable and extraordinary. In Pate' grotesque is beautiful and the beautiful has become grotesque. A story that one can digest and contemplate many times over.
22 Reviews
A perfect display of style over substance
slayerinthedark31 December 2004
It has now been a few years since I have seen this film and it has stuck with me. Not, however, because I liked it. Quite the contrary, in fact. I saw the film while attending NYU film school. It was part of our First Run competition and caused quite a stir, so I made a point of checking it out. What most of the people writing these reviews have said is true, the art direction is indeed fantastic. This is a testament to the filmmakers' ability to spend lots of money. It is not a sign of real talent. The look of this film has been compared to that of Jeunet or Gilliam and that is exactly right. What I wouldn't call the look is unique. It is borrowed. I happen to be a huge fan of both those directors and I love the look of their films, but they have something that this film is sorely lacking; great stories with memorable characters. Even a movie filled with ideas borrowed from literally 100s of other movies can be fantastic (Pulp Fiction), but when you steal the look and feel of a couple other directors and add nothing new, make no spin of your own, the result is boring. Here, we have a very short, blah story meant to shock that is stretched out to a bloated 30 minutes by scenes where pretty much nothing happens. These long drawn out strange scenes felt lifted from other movies and recreated by horrible actors. It seems as though the whole idea was to make everything as odd as possible without any real reason behind the decisions. The characters were all paper-thin and for the most part, the performances were horrible. An actor can be big and strange without losing all believability. The reaction to the film at NYU was to be expected. Most of the faculty did not like it, because there was no true imagination or talent behind it. Why come to NYU and make a movie that requires only money, not great film-making? Festivals were thrilled of course, because this is one of a small number of student films that has a professional look to it. The director will probably have a very successful career ahead of her, but that is what is wrong with the industry today. She has proved with this film that she can make an expensive looking film. This is not a skill. Just about every expensive film known to man looks expensive. Writing an intriguing story, creating a unique look that helps tell that story, getting great performances from actors...these are the abilities a director should possess. Give a director with these abilities as much money as Ms. Wojtowicz-Vosloo had, and I guarantee you'll have a better film.
strange appetites emerge from tomorrow's wastelands
neilkend21 September 2001
"Pate" is one of those all-too-rare short films that creates a startling and unique world onto itself. It doesn't try to mimic other films, or make futile gestures to imitate formuliac Hollywood plots and narrative structures. Instead, the post-apocalyptic spirit of Agnieszka's short film is closer to playwrights Eugene Ionosco and Samuel Beckett's theatre of the absurd and the dystopian wastelands envisioned by such writers William S. Burroughs and J.G. Ballard than the cinema's usual science fiction and doomsday dramas.
Although the storyline unfolding throughout this beautifully designed piece is doused in a nightmarish glow, it isn't without humor. The filmmaker creates images that reside in the gap between dark comedy and garish tragedy that could only be born out of the 20th century and its many discontents.
I can honestly say that "Pate" is one of the more unique short films that I have seen. As a fellow artist, it is inspiring to see a kindred spirit who delights in running against the grain of our collective expectations, in order to find something fresh, striking and new. In "Pate," art, surprises, dreams and nightmares find a curious, new place to call home. And adventurous viewers are invited to come inside for a close and personal tour. Enjoy. ---- Neil Kendricks
Although the storyline unfolding throughout this beautifully designed piece is doused in a nightmarish glow, it isn't without humor. The filmmaker creates images that reside in the gap between dark comedy and garish tragedy that could only be born out of the 20th century and its many discontents.
I can honestly say that "Pate" is one of the more unique short films that I have seen. As a fellow artist, it is inspiring to see a kindred spirit who delights in running against the grain of our collective expectations, in order to find something fresh, striking and new. In "Pate," art, surprises, dreams and nightmares find a curious, new place to call home. And adventurous viewers are invited to come inside for a close and personal tour. Enjoy. ---- Neil Kendricks
A great first effort!
tkd1127 September 2001
Do whatever you can to see this film! Pate is a post-apocalyptic 30-minute original short that grabs you from the first frame and never lets you go - an amazing tale that will stay with you long after the movie ends. It's about an aristocratic family that is coming to terms with its need for survival. I won't spoil the end of the story, but all the awards this film is winning are well-deserved, especially since I heard the the director is in her 20s and just finished film school at NYU. It may be a low budget film, but it sure doesn't look that way - well shot, well-edited and well-acted. Bravo.
A troubling story about a deranged insect-loving mother and her children.
lkrieger1 May 2002
This film is visually one of the most impressive that I have ever seen on the short circuit. The concept and look has a Darren Aronofsky/David Lynch feel, but at the same time is completely unique. While the concepts are extremely outlandish and often absurd, the superior directing and art design pull them off with ease.
Excellent!
roylevitt14 September 2001
Brilliant! Pate's super lush/rich cinematography is absolutely stunning. This cinematography is complimented equally with a post-apocalyptic story line and an excellent performance by all that will make you want to go back for seconds. Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo is a name I look forward to hearing from again.
Love it or hate it, you can't ignore the power of this film.
ralph the ponytail3 June 2002
This film has more user comments than most short films (more than most feature films!). And it's not surprising. When I saw this film a couple of months ago in LA it provoked more discussion than any film I've seen in a long time. Love it or hate it, you can't ignore the power and sheer force of the director's vision. Darker than even Jeunet and Gilliam (obvious influences), Pate challenges like few films do these days.
I also found it darkly humorous, something that most of the audience seemed to miss (or am I just sick?). But most of all, it is the artistry of this film that takes your breath away. Colors that flood your brain and a richness that overwhelms your senses. A work of pure beauty.
I also found it darkly humorous, something that most of the audience seemed to miss (or am I just sick?). But most of all, it is the artistry of this film that takes your breath away. Colors that flood your brain and a richness that overwhelms your senses. A work of pure beauty.
Visionary and poetic
navigyholcim15 November 2001
I caught this film at Raindance. It's a remarkable piece of work, full of life and poetry. It reminded me of Fellini and Greenaway in it's visual language and vivid imagery.
Pate was head and shoulders above the other films at Raindance, and more memorable than most films coming out of mainstream cinema. I only wish Hollywood would make films as rich as Pate, instead of the bland, formulaic 'blockbusters' they continual churn out. We need more imaginative and provocative films like Pate. I'm looking forward to seeing the director's first feature.
Pate was head and shoulders above the other films at Raindance, and more memorable than most films coming out of mainstream cinema. I only wish Hollywood would make films as rich as Pate, instead of the bland, formulaic 'blockbusters' they continual churn out. We need more imaginative and provocative films like Pate. I'm looking forward to seeing the director's first feature.
Stunning visual film.
mark-43711 September 2001
Very dark & disturbing. One of the best shorts at Sundance. As stylish as any Terry Gillian or Jeunnet film. The film has a vivid vision of a post-apocalyptic world that is both credible and yet very unique. The director has created her own world that resembles a macabre fairy tale with a dark humourous edge. If you have a chance to see this film - do.
A bizarre, menacing, original, beautiful fantasy!
chelseafuneraldirector22 September 2005
Agnieska Vosloo is interested in the complex connections between events and people. How people react to extraordinary events. The film is not so much about a story as it is about illustrating how the characters cope with their post-apocalyptic world and the peeling away of social convention and morality.
Open up your eyes and mind to the world that is created here, leave behind expectations of how it should function or how the plot should advance. You will be richly rewarded. The director's painted a vivid and imaginative world. The sets and costumes are gorgeous, but the true beauty lies in the characters and their lives and the bizarre, menacing, original, beautiful fantasy created by an remarkably talented director.
I freely admit that the film will probably not be to everyone's taste, and if pushed, I might even accept that's its not perfect. But no-one can deny that Pate is breathtaking, brave, and audacious film-making.
Open up your eyes and mind to the world that is created here, leave behind expectations of how it should function or how the plot should advance. You will be richly rewarded. The director's painted a vivid and imaginative world. The sets and costumes are gorgeous, but the true beauty lies in the characters and their lives and the bizarre, menacing, original, beautiful fantasy created by an remarkably talented director.
I freely admit that the film will probably not be to everyone's taste, and if pushed, I might even accept that's its not perfect. But no-one can deny that Pate is breathtaking, brave, and audacious film-making.
A masterpiece
lawrence96020 November 2001
This film is a masterpiece. Rarely have I seen such depth of vision and such stunning mise-en-scene.
The story is relatively simple. A family survive day by day in a burnt out, post-apocalyptic wasteland. Each of the characters has been shaped in different ways by the holocaust. The young boy seems to shrink further into his introversion to survive the horror of everyday life. The mother hangs pitifully to the last vestiges of a past, more elegant life. As the story unfolds, we see the ageless struggle between the weak and the strong. A world stripped of any last pretense of civilization or humanity. In this raw state, the characters manipulate and brutalize each other into submission.
The acting was superb. I was surprised at an earlier reviewer who could see no emotion. These characters convey some of the deepest emotions I've seen on the screen. Their emotions however, are not the emotions of a TV soap opera. There is no hysterics. No sobbing breakdown. The emotions are conveyed through a single look. Or a hesitant pause. Beautifully subtle, and all the more powerful for it.
But it is the look of the film that ultimately takes your breath away. Each scene is like a canvas, rich with detail and and intricately framed that create a believable surreal landscape. From the almost monotone greens and grays of the opening exteriors, to the saturated reds and golds of the interiors, each scene overwhelms the senses like a morroccan bazaar.
As I said. It is a masterpiece.
The story is relatively simple. A family survive day by day in a burnt out, post-apocalyptic wasteland. Each of the characters has been shaped in different ways by the holocaust. The young boy seems to shrink further into his introversion to survive the horror of everyday life. The mother hangs pitifully to the last vestiges of a past, more elegant life. As the story unfolds, we see the ageless struggle between the weak and the strong. A world stripped of any last pretense of civilization or humanity. In this raw state, the characters manipulate and brutalize each other into submission.
The acting was superb. I was surprised at an earlier reviewer who could see no emotion. These characters convey some of the deepest emotions I've seen on the screen. Their emotions however, are not the emotions of a TV soap opera. There is no hysterics. No sobbing breakdown. The emotions are conveyed through a single look. Or a hesitant pause. Beautifully subtle, and all the more powerful for it.
But it is the look of the film that ultimately takes your breath away. Each scene is like a canvas, rich with detail and and intricately framed that create a believable surreal landscape. From the almost monotone greens and grays of the opening exteriors, to the saturated reds and golds of the interiors, each scene overwhelms the senses like a morroccan bazaar.
As I said. It is a masterpiece.
A film to appreciate.
TDudley 21 December 2001
There's a primal level at which all of God's creatures exist. It's always funny to me when, as humans, we speak of the "animal kingdom" as a separate realm from the kingdom which we seem to feel we inhabit exclusively. The film Pate reminds us that though we may have come far in our evolution as a species we still find ourselves tenuously balanced over the precipice of deevolution. It reminds us that while having evolved mentally,(we like to think), far beyond our fellow earthly inhabitants, that physically, at an instinctive level, perhaps we really haven't evolved at all. That indeed these primal instincts, deep within us for all these millions of years, are far more firmly entrenched, and consequently far stronger, than our evolved, superior, intellectual powers. They are in essence our driving force.
One of the great pleasures of the movie going experience for me is what I call the "what if?" challenge. A movies ability to show us, and if well done as in the case of Pate transport us into, a world apart from our own, presenting us with situations that beg us to ask, "What if I were there, if I were in that situation? What would I do?" Pate presents this challenge superbly, utilizing one of the ultimate "What if?" settings, a postapocalyptic world, wonderfully brought to life through meticulous attention to detail in the set design and beautiful yet haunting cinematography. The challenge presented by Pate takes us to unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory though, where the question isn't simply "What if?" but rather "What if I have NO choice?!". We watch as the characters in this film try desperately to retain some semblance of their former, aristocratic, preapocalyptic selves, clinging to anything human they can salvage from the carnage that is their new world, hoping to hold on to some of their fading humanity amongst the collected nostalgic artifacts. The desperation with which they cling to their past, mirrored by their denial of their present, is grotesque in its gaudiness and consequently the beautiful artifacts become ugly, rather than pleasant, reminders of better times.
I appreciate it when a filmmaker presents his/her audience with a film that takes us out of our comfort zone, and forces us to think. I greatly appreciated Pate for this reason. Pate treated me to a visual feast that filled my senses much more completely than its namesake could have hoped to fill my stomach, and left a satisfying albeit disturbing aftertaste on my intellectual palate. Like its namesake though I have a feeling that Pate is just the appetizer of this budding and talented young filmmakers career. I eagerly await the next course!
One of the great pleasures of the movie going experience for me is what I call the "what if?" challenge. A movies ability to show us, and if well done as in the case of Pate transport us into, a world apart from our own, presenting us with situations that beg us to ask, "What if I were there, if I were in that situation? What would I do?" Pate presents this challenge superbly, utilizing one of the ultimate "What if?" settings, a postapocalyptic world, wonderfully brought to life through meticulous attention to detail in the set design and beautiful yet haunting cinematography. The challenge presented by Pate takes us to unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory though, where the question isn't simply "What if?" but rather "What if I have NO choice?!". We watch as the characters in this film try desperately to retain some semblance of their former, aristocratic, preapocalyptic selves, clinging to anything human they can salvage from the carnage that is their new world, hoping to hold on to some of their fading humanity amongst the collected nostalgic artifacts. The desperation with which they cling to their past, mirrored by their denial of their present, is grotesque in its gaudiness and consequently the beautiful artifacts become ugly, rather than pleasant, reminders of better times.
I appreciate it when a filmmaker presents his/her audience with a film that takes us out of our comfort zone, and forces us to think. I greatly appreciated Pate for this reason. Pate treated me to a visual feast that filled my senses much more completely than its namesake could have hoped to fill my stomach, and left a satisfying albeit disturbing aftertaste on my intellectual palate. Like its namesake though I have a feeling that Pate is just the appetizer of this budding and talented young filmmakers career. I eagerly await the next course!
Quite possibly the best short film ever.
ludicrousname28 January 2002
As someone who frequently haunts the never-ending parade of film festivals, I've seen literally hundreds of short films. This one is quite possibly the best short film ever made. Why? Because the director has soul and passion. And she injects it into every facet of the film. In the costumes. In the music. In the set designs. In every single frame and camera angle. It's that singular passion and vision that sets the great directors apart from the hopefuls.
Original, fresh, beautiful...and weird
wallychurms10 July 2002
I read a review of this film that compared it to "Fellini on a bad acid trip", so when it was shown recently in LA I decided to check it out. Wow. What can I say? I've never seen anything so original, so fresh, so beautiful...and so weird! The audience reaction was very interesting. Half were blown away and couldn't stop talking about it afterwards, and the other half seemed to be in shock. Certainly got a reaction, which is what film making should be about.
A cult classic
navigyseal20 November 2001
This film has the makings of a cult classic. I've seen it three times already and there's a small (but growing) group of fans who can't get enough of the film. It's creative, visual, witty (if you like your humor very dark!) and, above all, provocative. Each single frame shines with an intensity and richness, capturing the beauty and uniqueness of the director's very bizarre world. An original vision from a very talented young director.
Delicious
nick_tempsperdu5 December 2006
Some films are unforgettable. This is such a film. It's been a couple of years since I saw Pate but I literally cannot get it out of my head.
Why? Pate certainly dazzles with a vibrancy and mordant humor that even Fellini would have been proud of. Yet the unforgettable, unsettling power of the film comes not just from its visual richness, but from its ability to raise profound questions about materialism and feminism through a series of bizarre and often shocking scenes: the mother and Mr. Griswald circling each other in a macabre tango like carnivorous mating insects; the dull acceptance of the little girl as she's led away to the kitchen and the realization at the end of the film that this isn't the first time the mother has sacrificed her offspring for the insatiable Griswald.
This is probably one of the most stunning films I've ever seen. It works on so many levels. Visual. Visceral. Metaphorical.
But it's also a simple film. About a family reduced to the basest level, surrounded by echoes and reminders of a more civilized, more humane past. The only things that matter are mating and gathering food as they desperately try to survive another day. Just like the insects they eat.
Why? Pate certainly dazzles with a vibrancy and mordant humor that even Fellini would have been proud of. Yet the unforgettable, unsettling power of the film comes not just from its visual richness, but from its ability to raise profound questions about materialism and feminism through a series of bizarre and often shocking scenes: the mother and Mr. Griswald circling each other in a macabre tango like carnivorous mating insects; the dull acceptance of the little girl as she's led away to the kitchen and the realization at the end of the film that this isn't the first time the mother has sacrificed her offspring for the insatiable Griswald.
This is probably one of the most stunning films I've ever seen. It works on so many levels. Visual. Visceral. Metaphorical.
But it's also a simple film. About a family reduced to the basest level, surrounded by echoes and reminders of a more civilized, more humane past. The only things that matter are mating and gathering food as they desperately try to survive another day. Just like the insects they eat.
Why doesn't Hollywood make films like this?
kerry-371 March 2002
I just saw this film at Cinequest and was totally blown away. Why doesn't Hollywood make film's like this instead of the bland rubbish they keep on producing? This film had style, intelligence and edge. It was also absolutely beautifully visual. Hollywood take note. I can't wait to see what the director does as a feature director.
A beautiful, beautiful film
charlottefrank13 October 2001
I can't get over how beautiful this film is. I saw it at the LA Shorts Festival last week, and after sitting through the usual grim, little stories, this film exploded off the screen with colors and visuals and set design that just blew you away. But the film's more than a visual feast (and you need to see the film to understand how appropriate the word "feast" is!), it's also an intelligent look at relationships, between mothers and daughters, and between men and women. As a woman I found the allegory particularly strong, and the conclusion a shocking reminder of the constant battle for dominance. I warn you, there's some shocking scenes, and I applaud the director for taking on issues and images that too many other directors shy away from (or use for simply suferficial crasseffect). A totally original film that I know will be classic.
(PS. I checked out the LAShorts Fest web site later and found that it didn't win, which is a sad reflection on the jury. They went for a little safe film that sums up the festival really).
(PS. I checked out the LAShorts Fest web site later and found that it didn't win, which is a sad reflection on the jury. They went for a little safe film that sums up the festival really).
Awesome
frankielampard20012 April 2004
A friend of mine lent me a copy of this film (apparently it's a bit of a cult film in LA) and it was just awesome. Dark and funny and beautifully designed. It has
that amazing look of "City of Lost Children".
The acting was impressive, especially the two kids (wasn't the little girl on "Life with Bonnie?". But the killer was the design: the director's vision of the
apocalypse is not some barren desert, but a rich landscape crammed with the
decaying detritus of our consumer world. Where objects (like the people) that were once beautiful, are now somehow sordid and sinister. An incredible film.
that amazing look of "City of Lost Children".
The acting was impressive, especially the two kids (wasn't the little girl on "Life with Bonnie?". But the killer was the design: the director's vision of the
apocalypse is not some barren desert, but a rich landscape crammed with the
decaying detritus of our consumer world. Where objects (like the people) that were once beautiful, are now somehow sordid and sinister. An incredible film.
An Incredible Feast
marcjohnsen7 October 2002
Take a pinch of Gilliam, add half a cup of Lynch, and a soupcon of Jeunet, and you have probably one of the most original and visual films of the decade. An incredible feast for the eyes, with images that will be seared into your head for a long, long time.
Just saw the trailer on Youtube
slapmonkey29 January 2009
Blew my mind. The quality of the clip was pretty poor but you could still see that this director has an amazing visual eye. The sets were incredible as well. As I haven't seen the full version I can't really comment on the story, but from what I saw (and from other comments) the short film looks like a cross between Fellini, City of Lost Children and David Lynch. Very dark. Very atmospheric. And very very weird! I'm not surprised that the short film provoked so much buzz and so many comments (both for and against!).
She's just shot her first feature After.Life, a psychological horror with an amazing cast. I've got a feeling her first feature will be as unique and as stunning as her short.
She's just shot her first feature After.Life, a psychological horror with an amazing cast. I've got a feeling her first feature will be as unique and as stunning as her short.
A Sci-Fi Masterpiece!
martin8923 August 2002
This is incredible film! One of the best short films I've ever seen. A sci-fi masterpiece! It's like Terry Gilliam and Jeunet and Fellini and David Lynch all rolled into one. The audience was left breathless by the power and vision.
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