Film Festival Week 12: Dark City
We’re in the home stretch of the Film Festival now, with only three more films to go. We’re taking another break from the more classic films to experience what is widely considered to be an overlooked gem. This week’s film is the 1998 science fiction film noir Dark City. The film utilizes a distinct and ominous visual style to convey a sense of unease. The locales borrow strongly from the 1930′s German Expressionism movement, particularly the works of Fritz Lang such as Metropolis and M, with grand and twisted visuals, buildings warping and sprouting from the ground itself.
The film also utilizes a strong sense of uniformity, with massive crowd setpieces to further the drab and dreary sense felt through the whole film. As the title implies, the film’s color palate is rather limited to darker colors to add to the unsettling nature of the film.
Upon it’s release, Dark City was praised for it’s visual imagery and storytelling. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called it “The best film of 1998″. So if the film was so great, why do few people remember it? Well a year later, Warner Brothers released a film with similar themes and motifs as Dark City; The Matrix. You may have heard of it. In fact, the similarities run deeper than just face value; some of the sets in The Matrix were actually re-purposed from the filming of Dark Citiy. The impact of The Matrix at the box office and in the minds of viewers completely overshadowed Dark City, leaving it to remain a forgotten gem in the minds of viewers, save for those who saw and loved it.
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Tags: dark city, film festival, fritz lang, keifer sutherland, metropolis, the matrix
August 25th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I hear rumor of this film reusing the sets of The Matrix and always found it interesting. I’m really looking forward to checking this one out. Heard it was great.
Don’t forget, there is a page for this now, with a link back to this post for when other content moves in. It’s over in the Links section of the Sidebar.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Hell yes! This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s actually I believe the second DVD I ever purchased, and it was well worth it.
One of my favorite things about this movie is the camera work. There are angles and views that you just don’t get in most films. From the very beginning with the shot of the main character putting the fish into the water (from UNDER the water!) to the very last shot of… I won’t spoil it… this movie is visually exciting and gorgeous.
It has to be said as well that the ending is fantastic.
August 26th, 2008 at 7:12 am
I love this movie. Just bought the new Director’s Cut on Blu-Ray. Haven’t watched it yet, but maybe I will this weekend.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I also just bought it on BluRay, but have never seen the movie so this’ll be my first time. Hopefully I can find time this week.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am
This movie beats the shit out of The Matrix. Dark City should be fondly remembered, not The Matrix.
And I still need to buy the director’s cut.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I was wondering if this was out on BluRay. Thanks, John. I’ll have to go to Best But, I guess. Target didn’t have it today when I looked.
August 31st, 2008 at 4:33 am
Hey guys,
I have to agree that this movie is fantastic. Similar themes to the Matrix, but without the pseudo-religious and special effect wankery.
A focus on style over visual effects makes it far more of an adult movie.
I haven’t seen it since the original video release, so I need to get my hands on it again.