Smoke (2007)

Absolutely Fantastic

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

I admit: experimental shorts aren't my forté, but I checked out Dym (Smoke, for us Americans) and I liked it. Weird, yes. Different, definitively. Aimless? Well, blow away the smoke and see for yourself.Typically, in Reevesreviews fashion, I would write up a synopsis, but there really isn't much of a plot here. You have a young (attractive) male in a flat, but then, suddenly, he's a chauffeur to a heavier-set male to an adult club. There's a woman in red appearing in & out of the picture. And there's a tape recorder to witness it all.That's pretty much it. No dialogue. No character names, other than those mentioned on IMDb. All style, little direction.And yet, it's an interesting and well-shot short film. I was just told about this short recently, but apparently, it's been around since 2007. I would be highly interested in seeing a feature (or full) length film by director/editor/writer Grzegorz Cisiecki.Hey (Americanized): Greg! Pick up the camera again and film more. This short took talent and an excellent eye. Please do more, and I'll be in line on opening night.

This is the story of a man who goes through things in his mind such as driving a bald man in his car his menial times at work. The times he is sharing with his attractive girl-friend who may have the same amount of problems he does just contrasting? But the parts that stood out were the daydreams he was having which could be interpreted in so many ways displaying a state of mind none of us really want to go through. The film perhaps predictably features no dialogue but it doesn't hurt it as the facial expressions make up for it with a haunting soundtrack that will stick in my head for a while. Making it both creepy and a little bit scary to match the surreal imagery. It works well that we know little about this man even after the credits roll probably summing up his state of mind. It leaves you wondering all of the time. A slight flaw is the quick interchanging of some shots which prevents lingering but I did want to see the shots for longer. There is good use of close up shots which makes for dynamic cinematography that could be showcased on a wider scale by this director perhaps even for a feature length version? I haven't really gotten to any sort of plot surrounding the film but I don't think I can tell you in review context as it is all about the imagery displayed and what you think of him. Depending on your own general views and outlook it will differ from person to person. The plot is what you make of it I mentioned things that happened but any sort of interpretation on the plot is very much left up to the individual. This makes for a more mysterious and ambiguous film that just like the best known films leaves it up to you to some degree anyway. At least that is how I saw it and I believe that can be one of the best ways to utilise films if it is of course done properly. To conclude its worth checking out and leaves you wondering about this man, his surroundings and his past therefore doing its job well.

Smoke (Also known as Dym) is a rather compelling short film about a man recollecting his life with a tape recorder, such as being a chauffeur for a strange bald man, moments of passion with his girlfriend, and the dark, and chilling fantasies he suffers from.The film's atmosphere and editing style seem influenced by works of directors like Christopher Nolan and David Lynch, and that's never a bad thing. The short is somewhat enigmatic, but sometimes the best way to really look at a film is without knowing much. It's surrealistic, and frightening atmosphere and complete lack of dialogue is put to inspired use, providing scenes that are very chilling. Even if a few of these scenes overstay their welcome, it's only for brief periods. The best part of this dark and ambitious project is the cinematography by Dawid Rymar, who uses expert influences of work by fantastic cinematographers like Emmanuel Lubezki and Wally Pfister.I don't quite think it's perfect, but I like it enough to give it an 8/10. A rewatch will be needed to see if my opinion heightens.

A young man sits in an apartment, listening to a cassette and, it appears, remembering recent events. This includes a beautiful young woman who arrived at his apartment in a puff of smoke. As depicted, she was driven there in a car by a plump, sinister looking gentleman. In order to find his lady again, the young man travels to a smoky nightclub, where there are other lovely ladies on display. Some are crying jewels, others are taking photographs, with a camera dipped in blood. The couple meets again, and spends a brief time in the grass, with arms linked. But, at the end, the young man sits alone once more. What has occurred? Was it a dream or was it real? Are our lives as fleeting as wisps of smoke? I can't pretend that I understand this visually stunning short in its entirety but it was quite an interesting watch. Although it is a mere eight minutes long, its understated quality makes it a prime candidate for discussion. Just what has one viewed and what is its meaning? Most likely everyone will have a different answer! The cast is most handsome and the direction is well conceived and edited. Want to have a different kind of friendly get-together? Show this film on You Tube to your guests and then wait for the words to flow!