Review of Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010) by Eric F — 08 Jul 2014

Produced by Panos Cosmatos and written/directed by Andre Napoleon, this experimental sci-fi thriller is meant to be a metaphor for homo-repression and the relation it has to anti-gay behavior, psychotic behavior, and even violent behavior. It's a Stanley Kubrick-esque art film inspired by countless films from the '60s, '70s, and '80s -- and is set in the latter of the three.

The very trippy storyline centers around a young girl by the name of Elena who has psychic abilities and has been held captive her entire life in a research facility that supposedly heals people's minds by making them into their "newer, better, happier selves"; ensuring her stay be all the more unpleasant is the ever so creepy Dr. Nyles who (as it turns out) is also a mutated telepath... not to mention completely insane.

Already being such an avid fan Andre Napoleon and his previous works gives me a slight advantage here, as does being a big fan of films with such grand, artistic visual styles as this one. It's definitely not for everyone, with it's deliberately slow pace, ingeniously confusing narrative (especially for those unaware of it's symbolic meaning), and jump-cuts in the form of a briefly flashing red screen -- to which I warn ANYONE who has epilepsy or is prone to seizures to BE AWARE of before viewing this film -- there is certainly alot to dislike, but just as well this film is masterful work of art in my book.

I find the subtextual LGBT* themes to be quite interesting as well, trying to decipher exactly what one element of the plot is trying to say metaphorically, and then what it's connection to another element in the film is: it's like a giant jigsaw puzzle and Napoleon's given us all the pieces as well as the picture on the front of the box, but he's left not a single clue as to how it all fits together. Being no stranger to writing LGBT* themes with his past films, I wouldn't be surprised if subtlety was his exact intent this time around.

The '80s-influenced music score is also particularly well met and meshes well with the film's already eccentrically stylistic visuals. Speaking of visuals, the cinematography is mind-blowing with it's constant color changing pallet, claustrophobic close-ups, and blurry screen texture that gives the intended appearance of an old worn-out VHS tape.

"Beyond The Black Rainbow" is a vivid mind f*ck of a "2001: A Space Odyssey"-style meditation film, everything from it's moral message to it's title's double meaning will have fans of cult cinema eye-glued to the screen while other more mainstream audiences might be left scratching their heads.