Imagine (2012)

A blind teacher breaks the rules to help a female student rediscover the pleasures of life.

Director:

Andrzej Jakimowski

Writer:

Andrzej Jakimowski (screenplay)

Stars:

Edward Hogg, Alexandra Maria Lara, Melchior Derouet

5 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Hogg	...	Ian
Alexandra Maria Lara	...	Eva
Melchior Derouet	...	Serrano
Francis Frappat	...	Doctor
João Lagarto	...	Brother Humberto
Alix Planco	...	Ian's Student
António Rolo	...	Ian's Student
Cláudia Soares	...	Ian's Student
Denilson Gomes	...	Ian's Student
Ellie Wallwork	...	Ian's Student
Grace Whitford	...	Ian's Student
Jason Monero	...	Ian's Student
Jonathan Delalonde	...	Ian's Student
Josua Black	...	Ian's Student
Lucy Hogan	...	Ian's Student

Storyline

Set in Lisbon, Portugal at an institute for the blind where children are taught to live with their disability, to not take risks, and to be comfortable at all times. Ian a non-conformist teacher who is also blind is hired at the school and introduces revolutionary methods: Rejecting the use of a cane, Ian teaches the children to achieve spatial orientation by using all of their senses including moving by the resonance of sound vibrations (echolocation), instinct, and the creative use of their imagination. Confident and even slightly over-aggressive, Ian charms the children and gives them a reason to hope, though they are always testing and questioning him to prove that he is one of them and never seem quite convinced of his sincerity. Ian's sessions take place right under the window of Eva (Alexandra Maria Lara), an adult patient who never leaves her room and does not speak to anybody. Surprisingly, she becomes one of his most responsive students and there is even a hint of romance. ...

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Plot Keywords:

sound | student | ship | cane | doctor | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Poland Portugal France UK

Language:

English French Portuguese German

Release Date:

12 April 2013 (Poland)

Also Known As:

A képzelet ereje

Filming Locations:

Lisbon, Portugal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zjednoczenie Artystów i Rzemieslników,KMBO,Film and Music Entertainment (F&ME)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Imagine if only this would have been a better movie.

Avoid like the plague.

Just wanted to write a quick warning, so that you won't be deceived by the hype here, so far. On its favour, I can state the sensibility displayed and the noble cause. And, being a Lisboner myself, it is obviously a very beautiful, soulful and picturesque place to film. Nevertheless, the cinematographer Adam Bajerski did a very interesting job.

OK, that's mostly it. The acting is terrifyingly dull. Starting right with the main actor - I mean, this guy couldn't act if his life depended on it. Cringeworthy. Alexandra Lara, while far from a top-class performer, shows more than enough chops when rightly directed (vide the superb Control). Not the case here. Of course the campy, rather pedestrian dialogue never helps. And its delivery feels ever so awkward, not for once natural or credible. People just don't talk like that. I don't even want to dwell much on the script problems, but why the hell would English, french (and even a German ex-pat) blind children be doing on such a far from luxurious institution in Lisbon? Certainly all the sun and light are not the best treatment for the blind-eye - probably explaining the high blindness rates. You'll very often find yourself bumping into a blind person, whilst walking the streets of Lisbon.

To sum things up, in the hands of the right director this could have definitely been something. Keeping the moody slow rhythm and attention to sounds, but being more demanding with the extras and supporting actors. Even Ian's darker side should have been more wisely explored. Instead you are left with a slow movie, going nowhere, with a somewhat ridiculous script and with weakly handled tension scenes. You'd be better off driving that same 28 tram at the end of the movie and visiting a city far more interesting that its all-too-scenic display.