CANNES 2021: House Arrest (Дело)
CANNES/MK2It would seem appropriate to open up Cannes 2021 with what might be the longest slow-burner and internalised drama available. Alexey German Jr's drama, House Arrest, follows a Russian professor under house arrest for whistleblowing on the local mayor for laundering money. As the setting would suggest, German Jr's film is a physically and psychologically isolated drama. Focusing on one main character with only a fluttering of support to add depth and brooding thematics, this is a feature that lives and dies on performance.
Nevertheless, even in its incredibly drawn out and elongated pacing, German Jr's feature offers the audience a rich and immersive experience in not only a dark ride into the abyss of one's psyche but also the perils and merits of anxiety and willpower. These same themes drive the feature on; with a running time that does not particularly want to galavant around or showcase other sides of this world, the feature is left for what will define it in performances.
Leaving the film in such an isolated setting does, of course, convict an atmospheric and reflective feeling for the audience to have to endure, and it undeniably works. Elena Okopnaya does a superb job in regard to production design. The same four walls, the same stained mattress, the same books on the shelf, and the stagnant cigarette – all fill the mood with utterly magnificent effect. The audience can almost choke on the slowly but surely degrading atmosphere as it engulfs the lead character.
Who in turn – played by Merab Ninidze – offers quite the performance. Again, this is a slow but assured role that is a constant flow and one that, on the surface, would seem easily adaptable to create. However, the idea of having to pshycoligically condemn oneself to have to curate such an emotional state should be acknowledged, and one which Ninidze does a fantastic job of delivering.
The only issue here, truly a simple nitpick, is the pacing. Granted, it is consciously slow and deliberating but will undoubtedly turn off a large portion of viewers who are struggling to get on board with the themes and output of German Jr's work. It could also be said it leads into a rather anti-climatic finale, which would be rather a difficult end to disagree. For a feature that runs on for so long in its pacing, a distinctive and sudden change leads the film to its climax, which feels rather rushed and pedantic.
However, House Arrest feels rather applicable in these times of COVID, and one that many might not want to endure. It excels in showcasing its themes and the strong central performance of lead actor Merab Ninidze. If anyone can stick the doom and gloom out for long enough, they'll be treated to a solid and compelling film.
