Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)

Despite being under heavy sedation, a young woman tries to make her way out of the Arboria Institute, a secluded, quasifuturistic commune.

Director:

Panos Cosmatos

Writer:

Panos Cosmatos

Stars:

Eva Bourne, Michael J Rogers, Scott Hylands

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Michael J Rogers	...	Barry Nyle (as Michael Rogers)
Eva Bourne	...	Elena (as Eva Allan)
Scott Hylands	...	Dr. Mercurio Arboria
Rondel Reynoldson	...	Margo
Marilyn Norry	...	Rosemary Nyle
Gerry South	...	Skinny Hesher
Chris Gauthier	...	Fat Hesher
Sara Stockstad	...	Anna Arboria
Roy Campsall	...	Sentionaut
Geoffrey Conder	...	Mutant
Colombe Meighan	...	Baby Elena
Ryley Zinger	...	Unmasked Sentionaut (as Riley Zinger)
Vincente Rodriguez Lima	...	Mexican DJ

Storyline

Spanning over two decades of research and innovation from the 1960s to the early-1980s, the Arboria Institute--a secluded New Age commune and a state-of-the-art research facility--and the pill-popping psychiatrist, Dr Barry Nyle, are particularly interested in their newest specimen: the female patient, Elena. To begin to understand her mind-boggling telekinetic and telepathic abilities, the demented doctor keeps Elena heavily sedated and in a constant catatonic state; however, her capabilities are unfathomable. What are Dr Nyle's deeper intentions? In the end, could the institute's utopian doctrine be flawed after all?

---

Plot Keywords:

kubrickian | retro | retro horror | lynchian | telepathy | 

---

Taglines:

Beyond Science. Beyond Sanity. Beyond Control.

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some bloody violence, disturbing images, a graphic sexual illustration, language and drug content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature debut for actress Eva Allan.

---

Goofs

Dr. Nyle drives through the Fraser River Tunnel in Richmond, British Columbia in 1983, but the glowing yellow LED lane markers were only installed in the tunnel in the early 2000s.

---

Quotes

Barry Nyle: Elena? Elena? Elena? ELENA?

---

Crazy Credits

Final end credit: "'No matter where you go, there you are.' - B. Banzai"

---

Connections

References Electroma (2006)

---

Soundtracks

Anonymous
performed by SSQ
written by Jon St. James & John Van Tongeren
published by Jon St. James/FT Music/John Van Tongeren
Courtesy of FT Music & Jon St. James

User Reviews

Probably would make a lot more sense and be a lot more entertaining high, which is probably the best way to watch it!

'BEYOND THE BLACK RAINBOW': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A Canadian science fiction film which is a serious throwback to the trippy sci-fi films of the 70's and 80's. One could argue that it's a great nostalgic homage to the works of filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, David Lynch, Don Coscarelli, John Carpenter and other similar filmmakers. It was written and directed by first time filmmaker Panos Cosmatos and tells the story (I use that word loosely) of a young girl trapped in seclusion as the victim of a twisted scientist's bizarre experiment. The film doesn't ever make a lot of sense other than how ever the viewer wants to interpret it. I'm sure the filmmaker knows what he was trying to say but I seriously doubt many could legitimately figure that out.

Michael Rogers stars as the scientist, Dr. Barry Nyle, and Eva Allen co-stars as his favorite experiment, Elena. Elena spends all her days and nights locked up in an isolated science institute known as Arboria. A strange light, shaped like a pyramid, keeps Elena's powers under control as she's also heavily sedated. The insane Dr. Nyle continuously watches her through video monitors and meets with her for regular interviews, although Elena never speaks. One day she gains the strength to finally attempt a breakout and see what's beyond the institute's walls but Dr. Nyle will stop at nothing to keep her imprisoned.

The movie sounds like it's more coherent than it is. It plays out more like a very long music video with no real explanation to anything that's going on or any legitimate character development. Due to this it's extremely slow-paced but even despite all this it's always bizarrely interesting. It's one of those movies that die-hard fans will say they always had figured out and you'd have to be an idiot not to understand. I have no problem with movies that leave a lot up to viewer interpretation but they should make some sense and have some resemblance of a story structure. Still the movie is strikingly stunning to watch at all times, it's extremely unique and different and it's a great throwback to classic genre movies from decades ago. You have to give it credit for it's artistic creativity even if the story and characters are about as weak as they could possibly be. It probably would make a lot more sense and be a lot more entertaining high, which is probably the best way to watch it.

Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg1sS3cWJyw

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

Beyond the Black Rainbow

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD1,100,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,957, 20 May 2012

Gross USA:

$56,491

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$56,491

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chromewood Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1