I recently watched the film “Resurrection” (狂野时代) at Amherst Cinema, and it left me deep in thought. As I stepped outside into the cold, I felt a mix of inspiration and vulnerability. The film is fascinating, exploring themes of love, dreams, and the fleeting nature of life.
“Resurrection,” directed by Bi Gan, is his third film following “Kaili Blues” and “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.” The movie presents a unique story where humanity has achieved immortality—but with a catch: they cannot dream. We follow a rebel dreamer known as the “Deliriant.” His journey takes him through four distinct dream worlds, each one showcasing different cinematic styles from the 20th century.
Jackson Yee, who plays the Deliriant, delivers stunning performances. He transitions seamlessly into various roles within his dreams—from a conflicted conman to a wandering soul searching for love. The film opens like a silent German expressionist film, setting a captivating tone. For nearly the first 20 minutes, dialogue is absent; instead, we grasp the story through yellowed text cards.
With a runtime of nearly two hours and forty minutes, “Resurrection” requires patience and engagement from the audience. Each dream unfolds in reverse chronological order, echoing the styles of noir, fables, and romance. It’s a sensory experience that challenges you to really feel what the characters are going through.
The sound design is particularly noteworthy. Moments of loud chaos contrast sharply with sudden silence, forcing us to confront the emotional weight of each scene. The absence of sound allows introspection, and you find yourself questioning the characters’ choices—even your own.
In a broader context, this film’s take on dreams resonates with contemporary conversations about mental health and well-being. A 2022 survey by the American Psychological Association found that nearly 80% of adults report dreaming, revealing its importance in emotional processing. “Resurrection” cleverly highlights this connection, suggesting that dreams are essential to our humanity.
Yet, the film’s depiction of a future where dreams are repressed leads to questions about society’s direction. Just as people today grapple with issues like technology’s impact on our lives, “Resurrection” reflects on the cost of losing our imaginative freedom.
While the world of the Deliriants is imaginative and enthralling, the film doesn’t delve deeply into the dystopian society they inhabit. We learn a bit about characters like the woman tasked with hunting down dreamers, but the details remain vague. This might be a deliberate choice, emphasizing the dreams over reality.
Ultimately, “Resurrection” is a powerful reminder of our mortality. It suggests that while we can avoid pain, we also risk losing out on the richness of life. The film whispers that being alive means dreaming, loving, and, yes, facing our own mortality head-on. As I walked back to my dorm, I pondered what truly matters—what I love and what I fear losing. This film reflects a rare magic, urging us all to embrace life fully, mistakes and all.
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