Immortel (ad vitam) (2004)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Enki Bilal

Writers:

Enki Bilal (comic books "La Foire aux immortels" and "La Femme piège")
Enki Bilal (scenario & adaptation and dialogue)

Release Date:

24 March 2004 (Belgium)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

New York 2095. In a strange pyramid floating in the sky, the gods of ancient Egypt are judging Horus. In the city, a young women with blue hair and tears is arrested, but she has a secret power, even to herself...

Plot Keywords:

Mutant | Blue Hair | Pyramid | Election Campaign | Corrupt Politician

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Linda Hardy	...	Jill Bioskop
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Alcide Nikopol
Charlotte Rampling	...	Elma Turner
Yann Collette	...	Froebe
Frédéric Pierrot	...	John
Thomas M. Pollard	...	Horus
Joe Sheridan	...	Allgood
Corinne Jaber	...	Lily Liang
Olivier Achard	...	Checker
Jerry Di Giacomo	...	Jack Turner
Dominique Mahut	...	Hotel Receptionist
Gary Cowan	...	Tycho Barman
Augustin Legrand	...	Pusher / Salesman
Javon Constantin	...	Eugenics Little Boy
Owen Steketee	...	Horus's Baby

Also Known As:

Immortal (Ad Vitam) (International: English title) (Italy)
Immortal (USA) (video title)
Immortel (France) (short title)
La femme piège (France) (working title)
Trilogy (France) (working title)
Besmrtna (Serbia) [sr]
God Diva (Japan) [ja]
God Diva (Japan: English title) [en]
Gynaika pagida (Greece) [el]
Immortal (Finland) [fi]
Immortal (Sweden) [sv]
Immortal (Germany) [de]
Immortal - New York 2095: Die Rückkehr der Götter (Germany) (DVD box title) [de]
Immortals (Netherlands) (DVD title) [nl]
Immortals (Belgium: Flemish title) (DVD box title) [un]
Kadin tuzagi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Surematu (Estonia) [et]

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality/nudity, language and some violence.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

France | Italy | UK

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | UK:15 | France:U | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:M18 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R

Company:

Téléma

Trivia:

Nikopol's first name in the comics is Alcide.

Quotes:

Elma Turner: How many meals do you have a day?
Jill Bioskop: Two a week.

Movie Connections:

References The Matrix (1999)

Soundtrack:

Nights in White Satin

Enjoyable all the way

This is a very stylish and artistic movie, but it doesn't forget to tell a story. It is all done in bleak and washed out colors. It is a poetic movie; while the genre is science fiction, the author obviously could not care less for real science fiction. It's just design material, just as the piece of Egyptian mythology. The story line is straight, and has a style that is a mix between french and Japanese comics. It has the deadly epic seriousness of anime, and the designwork is both kitsch and awesome at the same time, as is customary for the french metal hurlant style. And, most refreshing, there is not a hint of Hollywood in this. So, sit back and let it flow.

I give the movie nine out of ten, but I can't say I feel hungry for more. No, what I'd like to see on the screen is some real science fiction. Not Star Wars crap and not poetic artistry, but the real thing, a modern novel by the likes of Iain M. Banks or Greg Egan adapted for the screen. Sadly enough, sf for the movies is becoming something that is exploited for it's kitschy futuristic themes and it's design and action possibilities, rather than a way to express the true visions the bookshelves are actually overflowing with. But here's still hoping...