Nara

I saw Nara at the Hamilton Film Festival in 2008. This was definitely the best film I saw there during the week. I am not usually a fan of the horror/thriller genre, but this was an exception. The film took its time introducing the characters and story, not relying on cheap thrills as I've become accustomed to with so many Hollywood releases. The story itself was unique and really kept me guessing to the end. Another standout for me was the lead actor, Dylan Macdonald, who really carried the first half of the film, exploring the character of Blane with minimal use of dialogue. We were lucky enough to talk to the director Navin Ramaswaran after the screening. He was open to all our questions and I really look forward to seeing his next movie.

I had the privilege of seeing Nara at the Hamilton Film Festival and was blown away by the writing, directing and cast that made this movie my favourite at this event. The hand of a master is apparent within the first 10 minutes of the movie where the movie is literally just carried by camera work and acting without any dialogue. When dialogue does resurface it is simplistic yet intriguing, casual and yet funny at times. Within a short time the audience is captivated by Blaine his mundane lifestyle and his rather sad outlook on life. But there is more to Blaine than meets the eye! In fact every character in this movie carries with them their own set of demons that unravel as the movie progresses into its shocking and chilling end. The movie is a psychological thriller that encompasses love, betrayal, cruelty and at times even remorse. A rare movie that really captures the extent of what loneliness can do so profoundly and with such intrigue that is it a must see!

I had a chance to see Nara at the Mississauga Independent Film Festival two night ago. Nara starts off to a slow start and really picks up after 30 minutes to become a fascinating story about obsession. The main actor, Dylan MacDonald, is believable in this part as a strange social outcast and his subdued interpretation contributes to the eeriness and mysterious atmosphere of the whole movie. The imagery is really beautiful, heightened by a very colorful production design. It may be hard to believe that the aspiring social worker, unknown yet very talented Nicole Maroon, develops such a reckless fascination for this loner even after discovering that he keeps the head of a young woman on top of a shrine, yet this film sustains the attention until the very end thanks to the power of its haunting imagery and confident directing from its debut director. We follow her journey with an increasing sense of dread and become more and more engaged as the intricate story unravels. Despite obvious budget constraints, "Nara" shows a strong visual style, an original voice and a knack for building up an eerie, creepy atmosphere. One moment of scare is truly memorable, playing with our nerves with a rare and delicious sense of timing. The director's sense of composition and pacing are impeccable, which is rare for a first movie. His attention to small details is outstanding. I am eager to see what else this talented, visual filmmaker will come up with in the future once he is granted bigger budgets to bring his stories to life.

I got the chance to see Nara at a local film festival and I was blown away with this movie. It's a dark little fantasy that is driven home by awesome visuals, engrossing story telling and an incredible cast. The story follows a young man named Blaine who lives in a twisted little world he has created for himself. He has very little contact with other people. He works in a small Chinese restaurant for leftovers and finds things in the garbage to fix up his home in an abandoned building. The story is engrossing watching this young man's life slowly unfold. He lives in a desperate situation but the audience feels it more than Blaine seems too. The movie follows his sad and pathetic life in almost a documentary style then the story takes a very dark twist that you could never truly be prepared for. He makes a friend with a woman that flips Blaine's world into a new direction and takes him into an even darker existence!! This film may not be for everyone but film maker Navin Ramaswaran handles the subject matter in a sensitive and poetic way that turns the dark subject matter into something more intriguing and mystifying and not exploiting the shock factor of the story! The cast is solid but is carried by newcomer Dylan MacDonald who brings real life into the character of Blaine, in the wrong actors hands this could have been a mess but MacDonald finds the honesty and innocence that makes this journey worth taking! I wouldn't even consider giving away the twist because its nothing I have ever seen before in a film and I've seen some pretty twisted movies!!

The film Nara commences with the naivety and awkwardness of the main character Blaine, played by newcomer Dylan MacDonald. MacDonald brings to life a character who captivates the audience with his quiet and mundane way of living.

In this film, writer and director Navin Ramaswaran shows the audience how easy it is to sympathize with and detest a character all at once. Ramaswaran brings to screen a vivid portrayal of the everyday experiences of a young man trying to make his way in the world, yet who does his very best to remain apart from this very same world at the same time. This juxtaposition draws the audience in and shows us the complexities of life in a most poetic and disturbing way. An amazing film that explores the innocence and the dark side of life, a must-see!