Senn is a majestically crafted film that explores the concept of what it means to be human against an initial backdrop of despair and depression that quickly turns to beauty and wonder.
The film is set upon another planet, one which has been inhabited by a faceless corporation and filled with factories where humans work for little pay and no hope of a better life. Senn is a lowly factory worker who leads a pointless existence making crap for people who don't care, or even know about his plight. This is a stark comparison to the lives of sweat shop workers in the real world who work mind numbing jobs for people who neither know or want to know about the reality of their lives. This is a wonderful thought provoking issue which underpins the films opening acts.
The films true beauty though lies once Senn discovers that there is a sentient alien intelligence watching him. This alien plucks him from his monotonous existence and takes him and his partner on a journey of profound exploration, though not everything is as it first seems. Senn's sanity lies in the balance, resting on a knifes edge ready to topple one way or the other, and yet he is the chosen one destined to fulfill a mysterious mission and save civilization.
Senn is a riveting and thoroughly entertaining film that not only tells an intelligent story but does so with a mastery of artistry that is sadly rare to find in cinema.
The films limited use of special effects are done to complement the story rather than to replace or overpower it. At its heart Senn is not a special effect heavy science-fiction extravaganza, it is a philosophical exploration of our existence and the misconceptions therein.
Some of the acting does feel a little stilted, unnatural and frankly off putting at times. At points the poor delivery of lines takes away some of the shine from the inherently intelligent storytelling beneath. Thankfully though this is mostly contained within the films opening few scenes and once the sentient beings arrive the film kicks into high gear. Overall those moments of forced acting are fleeting and don't subtract too much from your overall entertaining experience.
Senn's biggest skill is in creating a beautiful cinematic experience that is majestically shot, wonderfully directed and is intellectually stimulating. It's an excellent mix that really needs to be seen to be believed.
I haven't touched on the story line much because quite frankly I don't think I can really explore it's context and it's connotations in any form of true justice in the five hundred words or so I have for this review. And even if I could I wouldn't want to spoil even a second of the cerebral exploration that is Senn.
Senn makes you question things and makes you explore new concepts but above all it entertains you, from the opening scene to the final credits it's an entertaining ride that will keep you hooked in its psychological journey. I heartily recommend that everyone checks out Senn, and you know what? I think I may go and experience it all over again.
