Cannes 2022: Metronom
cannes 2022Rebellion: the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention. The act has proved to be one of the most daring and courageous actions a human can accomplish. The world turns and changes with acts of rebellion, which can be seen in endless different ways and means; one of which is media. The arts as a form of expression allow ideas and ideologies to be shared and expressed freely without borders or limitations for those daring enough to find them. This is the case for 17-year-old Ana (Mara Bugarin) in Alexandru Belc's Metronom. Screening as part of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, Metronom sees Ana and her friends find freedom through music in 1972's Romania which is broadcasted secretly by the Radio Free Europe organisation. Inspired, they decide to write a letter to the organization but as a result, find the secret police at their front door.
While the Cannes Film Festival is known for its big galas and major debuts, the heart and soul of the festival year after year is found in the smaller voices who are given a major platform to show their talents. Metronom is, without a doubt, one of these films that give Cannes the magic it is known for. Coming as the feature fiction debut from Alexandru Belc, Metronom is a stunningly crafted showcase of rebellion that is haunting without ever overlooking or negating the power of positive human emotion.
From the first shot, it is clear that Metronom is a film with a rather strong craft that uses every inch of the frame and every second of screentime to its advantage. The choice to present the film in a 1.33 aspect ratio is nothing short of genius as the tight nature of the screen only highlights the thematic claustrophobia felt by those in front of the camera. The shot composition by cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru is genuinely a work of art as the camera knows just when to move in and when to sit with the emotions of a scene. The mood and atmosphere of the film are also infectious with production using vintage cinema camera lenses to bring the period-piece aesthetic to life in a completely authentic and transporting sense. The film on even just a production level is able to pull audiences in and hold them in the palm of the film's hand, twisting and turning their souls however the film pleases.
The work in front of the camera is equally strong. To capture the soul and spirit of restricted teenage angst is a naturally difficult task, but the cast is able to create such a natural and empathetic heart that it is impossible not to feel for these characters. Mara Bugarin is purposefully more held back than the other actors but knows just how to use something as simple as a stare or grin to express a thousand words without having to say a single one. Her chemistry with Serban Lazarovici is also quite apparent and useful for the film. Within a story of government and abuse, there is something incredibly pure and human to be found. There is love and joy, created so naturally that scenes of two characters simply embracing truly can cause butterflies to form. Without ever distracting from the rest of the plot, the tale of love and betrayal is captivating and only heightens how much the audience is willing to invest in the project.
The sole complaint to be found within the film is simply the pacing of the second half. While the first half of the 102-minute feature is a pure ball of infectious energy, the second half sees a drastic change that is far harsher and colder. While not inherently wrong, there is something to be said about how brutal this change is and how much more taxing the second half of the feature is. Justified in a narrative sense, the presentation will leave some bored and frustrated at the viewing experience itself. The latter half also does feature some pretty repetitive scenes that go on a bit too long, but these complaints are rather minor in the grand scheme of things.
While the huge premieres are fun, make no mistake that it is films like Metronom that make film festival season as fun as it is. With a resoundingly stunning craft and empathetic emotional journey, the film is beyond worthwhile and cements itself as one of the best films of the year.
