The State of Things
The State of Things

The State of Things

1982Movie121 minGerman

On location in Portugal, a film crew runs out of film while making their own version of Roger Corman's The Day the World Ended (1956). The producer is nowhere to be found and director Munro attempts to find him in hopes of being able to finish the film.

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Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Theodoros AngelopoulosGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

In 1941, a film crew arrives at a remote Greek island to shoot a movie about the Holocaust. As the German occupation intensifies, the lines between fiction and reality blur, and the crew finds themselves entangled in the island's tragic history. The once-distant plight of the victims becomes a stark and immediate reality, forcing them to confront their own roles and responsibilities.

Critical Reception

The State of Things is a highly regarded art-house film, praised for its philosophical depth and allegorical storytelling. It is often seen as a powerful meditation on the nature of cinema, history, and complicity, though its slow pace and abstract themes can be challenging for some viewers.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intellectual and meta-cinematic exploration of filmmaking and historical trauma.
  • Acknowledged for its bleak yet profound commentary on humanity's capacity for both creation and destruction.
  • Noted for its deliberate pacing and stark visual style, which enhances its contemplative mood.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this niche art-house film, but those available often highlight its challenging yet rewarding nature for viewers seeking thought-provoking cinema.

Awards & Accolades

Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival (1982)

Fun Fact

The film is part of Theodoros Angelopoulos's 'trilogy of history,' exploring Greece's 20th-century experiences through allegorical narratives.

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