2022 BUFF “Neptune Frost”

“We power systems more effectively than we destroy them.”

I am very honoured to be included in the virtual audience for this stunning piece of cinema. I have never seen something so unique, so special, and so beautiful as “Neptune Frost”. This is a cyberpunk, arthouse, sci-fi musical about the connection between the over-consumption of resources and colonization of African people and culture by the Western World. It is an absolutely phenomenal artistic vision for how the technology we take for granted in our everyday lives takes an immense toll on others we will never meet, never see, and hardly appreciate or recognize. It is a powerful look into just how important African countries are to the way we live and function today, but often dismiss its importance and contributions to the advancement of society and the blood, sweat, and tears spent by African people for centuries. At its heart this is also a wonderful fairy tale of love, grief, humanity, gender and sexuality, as well as connection to spirituality and culture. The sci-fi elements are truly something spectacular; the integration of technology and the rough-around-edges integrate appearance seamlessly with rural landscapes and villages.

 This story is uniquely African and could not be told by the likes of anyone else, but is also universally appealing to a global audience. I am utterly and completely head over heels for this ultra innovative and visually stunning design and sparkling cinematography. I’m not sure I can fully quantify the experience of watching this movie with proper words, but I’d like to encourage you all to seize the opportunity to watch it should it present itself. It’s absolutely hypnotic and you’ve never see anything like it. 

Review by Ellen

Twitter: @imaginariumartz

Website: www.imaginariumarts.com

Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/1XPX7

 
Watched as part of the Boston Underground Film Festival in March 2022, virtual component.