Dark circus (2017)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2017
	Director: Julia Ostertag
	Actors: Angela Maria Romacker, Namjira As-Sefid, Florian Gysin, Annika Strauss, Nikolai Arnold
	Country: D
	Genre: Drama, Fantasy
	Conditions of visioning: 10.12.2017, Cinema am Ostertor, Weird Xperience, German/English with German subtitle
Synopsis: Johanna (Romacker) is struggling with her aimless existence, no job, no family. When she meets or rather follows an intriguing dandy (Arnold), she enters a parallel universe full of bizarre characters and transgressive rituals lead by the mysterious Mistress (As-Sefid).
Review: The story interlocks reality and parallel universes that may be dreamt or real or another side of the mirror. The important is the quest of the inner self, that Johanna is loosing the shame of herself as she tries all what is intriguing her. She feels more self confidence. Many parts of the story are left open, like in the masterpieces by David Lynch (Lost Highway, Mullholland Drive) and I love it.  The fetichism, sadism and masochism that the viewer encounters is presented without judgment, nor dogmatism and is rather fascinating for their artistic aspects, for their creativity, for the artistic perspective of pushing the societal conventions. I love the costumes of the mistress and the horses as well as the scenes of trance.  The acting by Romacker is great and promising even if there are not many dialogues but rather expressions. Due to the role and the story, she comes through many different inner feelings and expresses them very well. Visually, the movie is sometimes great and sometimes not my taste, e.g. the mirror reflections somehow too arty for my taste. The normal world and the outside shots look unclean like in the German TV series while the parallel universe looks very dark, with a clean light and image. Also the costumes of the people and the sceneries in the parallel world are beautiful of light and darkness.
Rating: 6 /10