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- Avalon Plot and Cast
- Why You’ve Never Heard of Avalon
- Should You Watch Avalon?
As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, both mainstream and obscure, I must say that “Avalon” is a film that has left an indelible mark on my memory. Having seen it in the early 2000s when online streaming was still in its infancy, I can attest to its relative obscurity. However, the movie’s unique blend of Polish and Japanese cinematography, coupled with its dystopian themes, has always intrigued me.
1995’s “Ghost in the Shell” is undeniably one of the animes that truly put the genre on the map in the West, significantly influencing its recognition and popularity during the ’90s. Although it was released several years after “Akira”, both films garnered widespread acclaim in the 90s as the internet made it easier for people to explore and appreciate international animation and cinema. The creator, Mamoru Oshii, has since gained immense respect among anime and sci-fi enthusiasts, with his subsequent works receiving similarly high praise.
Nevertheless, one film by Mamoru Oshii that frequently escapes notice is the 2001 live-action sci-fi thriller titled “Avalon“. In this discussion, we’ll delve into why this movie remains comparatively underappreciated and assess its merit for your viewing pleasure.
Avalon Plot and Cast
In a grim, dystopian world where individuals are hooked on an illicit virtual reality experience named Avalon, the military-themed shooting game offers renown and riches to its top performers. However, this success can have dire consequences as some players find themselves in a comatose state after suffering defeats. The narrative revolves around Ash (Małgorzata Foremniak), a former team player who now competes solo and has garnered recognition. After someone surpasses her record, Ash becomes determined to uncover the truth behind Avalon, delving into hidden levels and revealing the true cause of players’ comatose states.
“Which one do you find more intriguing: a game that you believe you could complete, but always end up not doing, or a game that appears to be unbeatable, but actually has a chance of being won?
In the show “Avalon”, Małgorzata Foremniak takes on the role of a professional gamer named Ash. Notably known for her performance in “Avalon”, Foremniak is a Polish actor who boasts more than 50 acting credits in Polish film and television. The supporting cast features other well-known Polish actors, largely unknown outside their home country, such as Wladyslaw Kowalski, Jerzy Gudejko, Dariusz Biskupski, and Bartlomiej Swidersk.
Avalon was helmed by Mamoru Oshii, renowned for his contributions to the Ghost in the Shell franchise, as well as several other successful anime productions such as Blood: The Last Vampire and Patlabor. This film was penned by Kazunori Itô, a frequent collaborator of Oshii’s, who has also been involved with notable projects like the .hack//G.U. animated works and games, and the classic anime series Urusei yatsura.
Why You’ve Never Heard of Avalon
Regardless of its potential appeal to sci-fi anime enthusiasts due to Mamoru Oshii’s reputation, the film Avalon has remained relatively unknown within his body of work. The primary reason seems to be that it was a Polish-Japanese co-production, with all dialogue in Polish. Although Poland is known for creative cinema, the global reach of a movie from the early 2000s, when online streaming and widespread internet discussions about cinema were still developing, was significantly limited compared to today. Avalon did receive a limited theatrical release, but it only earned $449,275 at the box office on an $8 million budget. It’s worth noting that during this period, revenue could be supplemented through DVD sales, suggesting that it was not a commercial success.
Despite being recognized at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and winning several accolades for cinematography and best film at other festivals, this movie didn’t garner much attention from a global audience. This is thought to be due to limited marketing efforts, its niche focus on virtual reality as the main theme at the time, and mixed critical reviews. As shown on Rotten Tomatoes, these factors are reflected in the low number of reviews, with the movie currently boasting an 83% fresh critic score and 73% audience rating, but with only a handful of professional critiques and around 5,000 fan reviews logged.
Although Avalon initially received a cool response and remained relatively unknown upon its release, it has since gained a dedicated fanbase, primarily due to its connection with director Mamoru Oshii. This renewed interest has led many viewers to reconsider the film, particularly because of its dystopian narrative where the boundaries between virtual reality and the real world are increasingly applicable in today’s society – a theme that resonates more strongly now than it did in the early 2000s.
Should You Watch Avalon?
Let’s be clear, Avalon isn’t Mamoru Oshii’s most exceptional piece of work. Unlike Ghost in The Shell, it doesn’t carry the same compelling themes or exhilarating sci-fi action sequences that made it a triumph. Critics have noted its shortcomings in both action and theme exploration, and they aren’t far off the mark. Avalon can be quite leisurely, and it challenges viewers to fully engage with its science fiction narrative. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t a reason for some viewers to appreciate it.
While some viewers found that Avalon didn’t fully exploit themes related to virtual reality, others thought it was satisfactory given the time period; where some noticed underdeveloped aspects, others perceived an invitation for a more comprehensive discussion about our connection with video games and digital realms. Avalon showcases a distinctive visual style, remarkable acting from Małgorzata Foremniak as Ash, and exceptional music composition by the renowned Kenji Kawai. Avalon might not appeal to everyone, and some parts can be challenging, but for those seeking fresh perspectives on sci-fi within the genre from a master storyteller, it’s worth giving it a try.
You can rent Avalon on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
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2024-09-09 04:31