Resonnances (2006)

Director:

Philippe Robert

Writer:

Philippe Robert

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Cast

Johanna Andraos
Marjorie Dubesset
Vincent Lecompte
Sophie Michard
Patrick Mons
Franck Monsigny
Romain Ogerau
Livane Revel
Yann Sundberg
Thomas Vallegeas

Directed by
Philippe Robert

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Philippe Robert

Produced by
Guillaume Raphoz	....	producer
Philippe Robert	....	producer

Original Music by
Richard Sanderson

Cinematography by
Philippe Robert

Art Direction by
Claude Orceau

Makeup Department
Aurelia Hatry	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Valère Chéreau	....	assistant director
Adeline Malaterre	....	assistant director
Guillaume Raphoz	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Didier Legluse	....	sound designer

Special Effects by
Matthieu Angelini	....	special effects (as Matthieu Angelin)
Thierry Ardiller	....	special effects
Lionel Berthelot	....	special effects
Cyril Cosentino	....	special effects
Paul-Emile Grammond	....	special effects

Editorial Department
Guillaume Louyot	....	color grading

Production Companies

• Origin Art

Distributors

• Albatros Film (2008) (Japan) (DVD)
• Anolis Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
• Nominé Films (2011) (worldwide) (all media)
• Starmedia Home Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
• Synapse Films (2010) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"Tremors Rising" - Japan (English title) (DVD box title)

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Certification:

Germany:16

Company:

Origin Art

Scraps of potential leavened into a largely mediocre affair

I want to say, right off the bat, that I went into this film with tremendous goodwill. I had no expectations beyond expecting a low-budget French supernatural/monster thriller. In fact, anyone in North America who watches this film has to have a level of goodwill, since there's very little information about it on the web & it's not available for rental anywhere. Synapse Films has done a poor job getting this film out there, necessitating a blind buy. But I approached the film itself with goodwill, grateful that it wasn't following the modern trend of French torture flicks.

Sadly, I found this to be mediocre, largely as a result of the confused storyline & the uneven behavior of the characters. There is a subplot involving a murderous escaped prisoner that ultimately proves to be a needless & ineffective attempt to raise the stakes in a survivalist horror scenario that could have been just as effective without it. Synapse Films describes this as a mixture of Tremors, The Evil Dead & The Thing; this film has nothing in common with this last reference point. Rather, the 3rd film I'd throw in would be The Hitcher, the ill- fitting incorporation already described above.

Somewhat frustratingly, the most well-developed & empathetic character becomes incapacitated rather early on. I've nothing against a film pulling a Psycho, but it's an unwise decision when you incapacitate the best actor in your film. The remaining actors appear to replace character arcs with sudden, inexplicable mood swings.

I don't want to end this on a negative note, though. This film disappointed me in a way that made me want to know more about the filmmakers (as opposed to simply throw my hands in the air). I really wish there were interviews with the director Philippe Robert. I'd like to know more about the people involved, their intents & influences. Mr. Robert shows potential. Synapse Films appears to have released this on DVD with absolutely no enthusiasm.

I can't recommend it as a blind buy, but as I write this, Resonnances isn't available for rental anywhere. I think the filmmakers at least deserve to have this film be seen.