Weekly Review -- Obsessed into oblivion

Renaissance (2006) -- Somewhere between film noir and the urban dreamscapes of Blade Runner lies Christian Volckman's Renaissance. The film takes place in the bleak Paris of 2054, where the corporate monopoly is held by Avalon, a company that touts eternal youth and beauty as a prerequisite for a happy life. With the city's crime rate increasing, one of Avalon's prodigious scientists, Dr. Ilona Tasuiev (voiced by Romola Garai in the English language version), disappears without a trace. Detective Barthélémy Karas (Daniel Craig) takes the case, teaming up with Ilona's sister, Bislane (Catherine McCormack) to find out more about her daily life and likely enemies. As the duo learn more about Ilona, they also get deeper into Avalon's shady politics, never knowing where the next discovery will lead them. The stark, black-and-white animation of the film suits the industrialized mood of the story and also contributes to some unique scenes; a sequence that involves a glass floor is particularly gorgeous. The acting is very good. Garai brings out the various emotions and inner conflicts that Ilona has to deal with, while Craig is authoritative as Karas. The story is timeless, pun completely intended. It is a story about obsession, life and various societal pressures, many of which are already sneaking or being downright shoved into our lives by today's media. The film is an ominous fairytale that reminds us to thread carefully, since we are not that far from 2054 Paris, after all.

9/10