Lvx Æterna

This was a movie that when I saw it was from Gaspar Noé and coming to the Gateway Film Center, it had my attention. Reading through the synopsis and checking the genres, I thought that it could be horror or at least adjacent. It also featured Béatrice Dalle and Charlotte Gainsbourg, I was in.

What I should say next is that this isn't a horror film. It does have elements though. This movie is about making a movie. Dalle and Gainsbourg play themselves. The first part is them chatting about different movies and experiences they've been on. They are both in this production that is borrowing from Haxän, which is a documentary/dramatization of witchcraft throughout the ages. This moves into a surreal situation to end the movie as they film the scene with Gainsbourg, Abby Lee and another actor as they're 'burned' at the stake for the movie.

The movie has a feeling of dread. We see that the production of the movie is troubled. Dalle is the elder actor and she butts heads with the director who in turn wants her off the project. He takes this to the executive producer. We have a guy who is trying to pitch an idea of a role in his feature film debut to Gainsbourg and Lee. This annoys both as it is unprofessional. Gainsbourg learns a horrific thing might have happened to her daughter and she is torn what to do. The tension just builds until the climax. It is interesting as well since this runs 51 minutes.

This movie does get some of that Noé flair. He is a bit over the top at times, but I respect his style. The acting is natural as playing caricatures of themselves. The visuals here are amazing. That is the biggest take away for me. I enjoy the message we are conveying here both on the surface and underneath. This won't be for everyone though. This is arthouse. It is short, so keep that in mind. It is an interesting ride for sure.

My Rating: 8 out of 10.