{
  "path": "/3ml44c5zmgk25",
  "site": "at://did:plc:74ax2kgpnq3hy44yz5hm6rya/site.standard.publication/3mcdaot2ljc2g",
  "tags": [
    "movie",
    "review"
  ],
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "title": "Climax (Gaspar Noe, 2018)⭐⭐⭐",
  "content": {
    "$type": "pub.leaflet.content",
    "pages": [
      {
        "id": "019df7ec-b26c-7993-a472-4a439c703d31",
        "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument",
        "blocks": [
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "More light-hearted, transgressive fun from cinema's Monsieur Chuckles. Climax is a largely improvised film supposedly based on the true story of a French dance troupe who had their after-party drinks spiked with LSD."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.image",
              "image": {
                "$type": "blob",
                "ref": {
                  "$link": "bafkreignhskd5sp3iieym54dbm2loi64adxmsy4gy7stqprtcsvn76zzcu"
                },
                "mimeType": "image/webp",
                "size": 126504
              },
              "aspectRatio": {
                "width": 1280,
                "height": 720
              }
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "So it is here, with a group of dancers - introduced individually during a series of talking-head clips, framed with horror and exploitation DVD cases that hint at what may be to come - who show us a truly spectacular, choreographed rehearsal that they plan to take on tour in the US. To celebrate, they begin to party in their rehearsal space - an abandoned school that has for some reason been tricked out with lots of gel filtered stage lighting."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "It soon becomes obvious that they are all starting to feel a bit odd and the few sober attendees are accused of spiking the bowl of sangria. Soon, what began as a joyful expression of art and freedom begins to fracture as petty jealousies, misogyny and hallucinations drive them to fight, freak out, fuck or kill."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "Noe assembled a cast of professional dancers who had no acting experience, plus Sofia Boutella (Kingsman, Rebel Moon) and Souheila Yacoub (Nicolas Cage's Jesus sort-of biopic, The Carpenter's Son) both of whom have a dance background in addition to their acting careers. "
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "Despite their amateur status, the cast do really well with some leaning into the horror of what is unfolding (one particularly harrowing thread involves a mother and child struggling to survive the night) while others embrace the chaos and dance."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "There was no script, just a rough story outline with some key moments to include, with the cast left to improvise their own dialogue and steer the story however they wished."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "This gives the film a rather disjointed quality but one that fits well with the addled state of the characters. He also avoids any 'blurred-vision' shots or any special effects that might show the acid trip from the characters' POV. Instead, we see them as a sober observer would."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "He also, however, makes the choice to film the last 20 minutes of the movie almost entirely using an upside-down Steadicam. This underlines the chaotic, world-gone-to-hell quality of the climactic orgy of sex and violence. It also makes it a bit of a pain in the arse to actually see what is going on, particularly as everything is drenched in red light and pulsing strobes. So, an experiment with somewhat mixed results."
            }
          },
          {
            "$type": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#block",
            "block": {
              "$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
              "plaintext": "This is a visually powerful cinematic experience that will definitely stay with you. It is also, in the words of media critic Homer J Simpson, just a bunch of stuff that happened. Possibly not one for a family film night."
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreifxbnyorvag7cas6yxszezuhopjjcy4nkigxzuglcgfjuhln3rsci",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:74ax2kgpnq3hy44yz5hm6rya/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml44cfaj4225",
    "commit": {
      "cid": "bafyreifm7tycfmdsfqcoe2xiluujemapi4slozfzgsmpbkxl36uido5umy",
      "rev": "3ml44cfdz2v2w"
    },
    "validationStatus": "valid"
  },
  "description": "",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-05T11:43:59.479Z"
}