Review of Sleep Furiously (2008) by Remote G — 31 Jan 2011

By Lauren Witts for remotegoat on 16/07/09.

This first film by Gideon Koppel charts the slow progress of modernity as it reaches a small farming community in mid Wales. Intentionally slow-paced, the film imposes no grand narrative, yet is subtle in conveying its story. From the closing of the local school, to the erection of a new road sign, the changes are small, but it is clear from the film how important and widely impacting these happenings and events are for the local community.

Portraits of the community are shown through gatherings such as the farm auction, an agricultural show and the local choir practice, where minor discussions between the townspeople reveal how change is unfolding. Between this, images of the landscape provide a backdrop that is both beautiful and wild.

The film is warm in its humour as it records meetings between the driver of the mobile-library van, that makes its way around the village, as he optimistically recommends titles to his visitors. An appreciation for the quirkiness of rural life is found in the judging of a best-garden competition and in a farmer attempting to herd sheep, whilst wearing a distracting yellow hat.

The birth of calves and piglets are captured alongside the taxidermy of a dead owl, and the visit to a gravestone of a deceased husband, as the film presents a kind of meditation on life and death, endings and beginnings.

Working with the muted poetry of the community and its story, the soundtrack by Aphex Twin, is both subdued and sensational. Perhaps one of the least conspicuous elements of the film, it is also one of the most successful.

Sleep Furiously is compelling, beautiful and affecting on a subtle level. Truly touching in places and warmly humorous in others, the at times quirky, cinematography sustains a level of brilliance throughout that makes this a very special film.