Anosmia (2012)

A documentary about people without a sense of smell.

Director:

Jacob LaMendola

Stars:

Kathryn Altman, Molly Birnbaum, Joanne Cordero

Cast

Credited cast:
Kathryn Altman	...	Herself
Molly Birnbaum	...	Herself
Joanne Cordero	...	Herself
Ryan Dornan	...	Himself
Patricia Dzuba Stevens	...	Herself
Simon Edmonds-Langham	...	Himself
Garret Mulder	...	Himself
Robbie Norris	...	Himself
Phil Robinson	...	Himself

Storyline

A documentary about people without a sense of smell.

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Genres:

Documentary | Short | Adventure | Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 2012 (France)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Interesting dual approach that works well

If you had to give up one of your senses, I think the vast majority of people would probably end up going for smell. Not to say it is not necessary, but just that most of us take it for granted. The strength of this film is that it relates how hard it is to actually lose it, and what is lost by it happening. Mostly the film is talking heads, but they are sharp, come across well on camera, engage with their subject, and are genuine in whatever they are saying and how they are saying it. This aspect of the film is the most interesting, and I was held by this.

Structurally the film mixes in scenes and images to avoid just showing people in a room talking. These image though are scenes that immediately capture a smell – grass being cut, for instance. They are beautifully shot, are so rich in color and movement, that the viewer can almost smell them – or at least are reminded of how great it would smell to be there. This is a simple device, but it is very effective because it pushes us to appreciate smell, while at the same time hearing the loss of those that don't have it – the mix of these two things increases the impact of the documentary.

It isn't earth-shattering perhaps, but it is engaging, looks great, and makes it point well.