Drama Digest
Jessica (Tilda Swinton), a former botanist working in Colombia, begins to hear an exploding sound that only she can hear. Jessica suffers from insomnia after hearing a loud noise. The mysterious noise, as when metal collides with concrete at high speed, seems to be heard only by her. To solve this puzzle, she sets out on a journey from metropolitan recording studios to the dense forest in the hopes of discovering the source of the mysterious sound.
The Feel-Good Part
Memoria is a highly sophisticated film. With Tilda Swinton as your soothing guide, it takes you through some landscape of sounds and colors. It’s impressive to see how sound is used. Sound is given a significant role in the film, which is unique. It makes you want to take a breath and pay attention. The imagery is stunning, with lots of greenery. Go ahead and savor the moment.
The Disappointing Factor
The film is too self-aware to do the concept justice. The movie’s direction is prolonged, and most of it features a mildly breathless Tilda Swinton, moving slowly around dark scenes with a cocked eyebrow. We never find out why she’s in Columbia, even though it’s suggested that it has something to do with a university, orchids, and plant infections. The sound is meant to draw your attention, but it does it in an unsubtle way by not tying the scenes together audibly. There are a lot of prolonged pictures of clouds and rain, which remind me of film shows in trendy modern art galleries, where you might find a few multimedia being played in a darkened room with purposefully featureless benches in front.
In-Depth Analysis
Colors were more vibrant, sounds were more melodic, the rain was more gracious and comforting, and interactions with people were more familiar. I was both curious and satisfied. I’m not sure how this director can expertly put an audience into a hypnotic trance while keeping us so involved in the plot. Still, we were an entire audience, attached to the unique and beautiful experience unfolding in front of our sense of hearing, and I absolutely cannot wait to see it again.
Star Power
Tilda Swinton was phenomenal, as she usually is. The sound design is outstanding. The direction by Apichatpong Weerasethakul is excellent.
Overall Opinion
Overall, the plot is exciting. “Memoria” is a film for film lovers who need a break from the current world’s bustle. It’s simply gorgeous and innovative, all while testing your patience and presenting you with new perspectives. The slow-burning intensity provides a contrast to the rapid speed of modern life. The film inspires us to reflect and re-connect with life. As a result, Joe has created a peaceful and fascinating relaxation platform.
