Unreal City
Unreal City

Movie spotlight

Unreal City

2020
Movie
6 min
English

An exhibition view film for Unreal City, a new public augmented reality art exhibition in London organised by Acute Art and Dazed Media. 36 digital sculptures are arranged as a walking tour along the Southbank and river Thames. Artists featured: Olafur Eliasson, Tomás Saracena, KAWS, Alicja Kwade, Darren Bader, Nina Chanel Abney, Cao Fei, Koo Jeong A and Bjarne Melgaard.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users75%
Director: A.J. EdwardsGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In the desolate landscape of a near-future, a man named Tomas drifts through a dying city, haunted by fragmented memories and the ghosts of his past. As he navigates the ruins, he encounters enigmatic figures who offer glimpses of hope and despair, forcing him to confront the nature of reality and his own existence. The film blurs the lines between memory, dream, and waking life as Tomas searches for meaning in a world on the brink of collapse.

Critical Reception

Unreal City received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its atmospheric visuals and ambitious thematic scope, though some found its narrative deliberately opaque and challenging. The performances, particularly from Javier Bardem, were widely lauded for their intensity. The film was noted for its unique, dreamlike quality that divided audiences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its striking visual style and haunting atmosphere.

  • Javier Bardem delivers a powerful, emotionally resonant performance.

  • The film's abstract narrative can be polarizing, requiring patience from the viewer.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's artistic merit and thought-provoking themes, with many finding it a unique and memorable cinematic experience. Some viewers, however, expressed frustration with the film's ambiguity and slow pacing.

Fun Fact

Director A.J. Edwards conceived the film's concept after experiencing a vivid, surreal dream, which heavily influenced the visual and thematic elements of 'Unreal City'.

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