Set sometime in the future, World on A Wire revolves around a company which has created a computer system known as Simulacron, a completely self-abstaining virtual world which can be used to forecast future needs of society. When the chief technical director mysteriously dies, his replacement and best friend, Fred Stiller begins to notice strange occurrences which he cannot explain. As his suspicions grow he begins to believe that his friend’s death was no accident. World on a Wire is a sci-fi film by Rainer W. Fassbinder that was insanely ahead of its time. Running almost 3 1/2 hours it’s a long, intense commentary on the relationship between society and technology. Although this is a genre in which Fassbinder didn't frequent, he feels right at home creating an intelligent sci-fi experience that is very much in his style. The set designs are vivid, with Fassbinder frequently using his trademark "mirror shots" to great effect. Klaus Löwitsch who plays our main protagonist does an excellent job and creating this character that is essentially going insane from a world crumbling around him. I really loved Fassbinder's decision to make a heavy amount of the acting quite stilted and cold, creating this sterile calm dystopian society. Some may find it long, but it actually flew by for me considering the length. Quite frankly, this is a masterpiece. 10/10
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
|