by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Are you the kind of movie fan who loves films for their of the boldness? If so, I have a film that you will surely want to check out. But not everyone is that kind of fan. Many filmgoers enjoy a good story with fun characters that they can connect to. They know (basically) how the story is going to go and get a definitive and earnest ending they can easily digest. This film will probably not be for that type of fan. The film I will be discussing in this review is much better suited to cinephiles. It will push you to your limits as a viewer and challenge you with what it throws at you. Fluid in narrative and bold in its themes and ideas, Abel Ferrara is at it again with Siberia.
Are you a fan of Ferrara’s work?
Or maybe a better question… have you heard of him? Ferrara made a name for himself with bold and raw films like Bad Lieutenant and King of New York. These films have more structured narratives, but still lean more into their characters and themes than many cop and crime dramas. My first experience with his work was Tommaso, which came out last year. I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of him. I never feel completely connected to nor emotionally invested with what I see on scene. There is no denying the technical craft in his films or the boldest in how his themes are explored. But I always appreciate, not love his films. They also don’t feel like fully formed cinematic experiences. I feel that same way about this latest film, Siberia.
Enough about the setup. What is this film even about?
Willem Dafoe (a now frequent collaborator with Ferrara) stars as a man who has left his life behind and runs a bar in the far-off wilderness. He then takes a sled ride out to a cave and must confront his past. That is it… the basic narrative is quite simple (from a summary standpoint). From an experiential standpoint, this film is way more complicated than that. Ferrara focuses on fluidity more than anything else in this film. The technical aspects of the film deliver with smooth and fluid camera movements which Stefano Falivene can accomplish beautifully as the cinematographer. But this approach to our central character is challenging. Unfortunately, it does not always feel like it is worth this crazy ride through dreams and memories. The vignettes throughout the film are mostly compelling, beautifully directed, and thought-provoking. But by the end, the film never felt like it pulled it all together in a meaningful way. Sure, Dafoe’s character goes through plenty of growth and discovery, but do you ever feel fully invested?
But what are these dreams and memories the audience and our main character experience?
There are some strange and intimate sexual encounters that feel raw and real (it certainly would not be a first for Dafoe, who seems to feel comfortable with being bare on screen). We cling to a cliff and get mauled by a bear in thrilling and exciting moments (which arrive in shocking and impactful ways). The most impactful and thematic of these varied vignettes may be those where Dafoe’s character is confronted by figures from dreams and his past. These scenes deliver most directly on themes of relationships and rationalities. Can being rational get in the way of life? Who is at fault in a breakup and how does that affect both the singular and collective lives of people? Dafoe delivers such a committed performance at every turn with energy and command of his emotions.
Is Siberia going to be a journey you want to experience?
The film is bold and daring in how it approaches its themes. Dafoe is excellent in his performance, which anchors the audience. The film will certainly challenge you as its fluidity moves into new ideas and visuals. This is not a film for all types of movie watchers, but it will certainly find its audience.
Grade: C