By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.25 cats
Director: Jessica Hausner
Starring: Florence Baker | Ksenia Devriendt | Luke Barker | Mia Wasikowska | Samuel D. Anderson
Year: 2024
Running time: 110
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18235146/reference/
Michael says: “This highly stylized, dark satire is an international affair produced by a plethora of countries, but shot in Austria and the UK. It follows a group of students who are influenced by a new teacher at a private school of brings a new class about ‘conscious eating.’ The mostly wealthy parents of these students embrace this new trend in eating that seems to do everything — from helping the environment, to increasing mental acuity. The principal of the school is game as well, even partaking of the new teacher’s tea, that helps you lose weight. zero.
“It isn’t long before a whole host of issues around eating comes up, and conscious eating turns into something much more ominous… Club Zero. Writer/Director Jessica Hausner (LITTLE JOE, AMOUR FOU) keeps the humor sharp, and the production design crisp, even as things grow increasingly dark. Mia Wasikowska strikes a nice tone, bullying the students into this bizarre behavior by playing upon their insecurities. The students and parents are great too, each living in their own insular bubble of indifference and privilege with one exception. I was delighted to see Sidse Babbett Knudsen and Amir el-Masry both from my #1 film of 2023, LIMBO in the principal and dance teacher respectively. With a curious ending that is open to interpretation, CLUB ZERO is a darkly fun romp. 4 cats”
Julie B. says: “The first thing that came to mind when this film started was fantastic production design, use of color, overlapping into cinematography perhaps? I would nom for prod design for sure.
“Also great use music – some that was very effective was via acapella – would need to go back for sure on this one but I recall noting this when the film started.
“I would vote also for best ensemble cast, so many great performances. Mia was fantastic as a lead of course and Sidse Babbett Knudsen really stood out in supporting. But so many others were wonderful, all the students and their parents (all different and unique in dealing with things and the eating thing in particular) .
“The end is definitely open for interpretation. I know that we had a bit of a discussion on that one! 4.5 cats”