Movie spotlight
The Dark Side of the Moon
A man has been in prison for sixteen years after killing of his wife. Now he seeks to create a new life, where he only finds warmth and fellowship with Turkish immigrants. He will also try to come to terms with the daughter who hates him. Denmark's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1986.
Insights
Plot Summary
A troubled teenage boy, adrift in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, struggles with his identity and attraction to other boys. He finds solace and connection through his fascination with the moon and the vastness of space. The film explores themes of alienation, adolescence, and the search for belonging in a world that often feels indifferent.
Critical Reception
Gus Van Sant's debut feature was noted for its quiet, observational style and its sensitive portrayal of adolescent angst. While not a commercial success, it garnered attention on the festival circuit for its artistic merit and Van Sant's emerging directorial voice, though some found its pacing slow and its narrative underdeveloped.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its atmospheric and introspective mood.
Acknowledged for its sensitive handling of a young gay protagonist's journey.
Criticized by some for its deliberate pacing and lack of strong narrative drive.
Google audience: Audience reception is not widely available.
Awards & Accolades
Screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
Fun Fact
The film's title, 'The Dark Side of the Moon,' was inspired by the protagonist's fascination with space and the moon, reflecting his own sense of isolation and otherness.
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