Pisces of an Unconscious Mind (2011) User Reviews

Did not disappoint

[skokott · 8/10 · 2 November 2011]

I know the director and had been waiting for this film to come out for a long time and was anxiously awaiting it. Anxious because I did not want my anticipation to turn into disappointment.

What I was looking for was an intelligent and personal short piece about a man's journey inside himself. It all fit together coherently, yet was abstract enough to encourage thought and interpretation.

I dislike films that 'lead the viewer' too much but also ones that are so surreal it's hard to suspend my disbelief that it isn't entirely arbitrary and pretentious. This film struck a nice balance and explored a variety of emotions in a very short period of time.

I would have liked to see the protagonists affect warm up a little but perhaps this was intentional.

Definitely a must see!

Great short film of psychological depth

[sheri-219-578487 · 21 November 2011]

Pisces of an Unconscious Mind is a beautifully done film. David Berman is a wonderful actor. I felt his torment throughout the film. The effects were remarkably professional and each setting was so fitting to the mood. I thought the music was perfect. The tent as a portal to the protagonist's psyche, leading into this naturalistic place where he eventually reclaims his power is brilliant. I want to see more. The juxtaposition between the high contrast tones of his mundane soulless world and the natural tones of the beach...and even in the therapist's office, adds a lot to the message of his journey. It's those subtle touches that elevate the film to a great piece of work, and it really is a great work! My primary critique is that it should be longer....but I understand it's meant to be a short. It went by very fast. The nuances of the protagonist's struggle amplified the tension, so the more nuances and sense of him as a character the better. Manichello Richard as the 'fisherman/therapist' was terrific too. This is very petty, but I felt his clothing should have been worn and dirty- lived in. That's just a tiny personal preference that came up for me when I was watching him. I used to go fishing a lot as a kid and we got filthy by the end of the day! To me the fisherman is the protagonist's more primal nature in touch with the elements, so I pictured him as being a bit more scruffy and ragged. The therapy scene was touching and I love that the therapist was the fisherman who encourages him to take himself back. I had a client who would go into trance via hypnosis with me and she would enter a dark forest accompanied by myself and a big dog. It really is a testimony to their bond that the protagonist conceptualizes the fisherman as his therapist. I was thinking it would be a bit clearer if it wasn't just active imagination with the therapist, but a hypnotic induction. Either way t's loud and clear that his subconscious mind is guiding the way....as it clearly did for Gleb Osatinski when he thought up this wonderful film!