Vortex

An aging film director, living in a Parisian apartment, grapples with his failing health and his complicated relationships with his ex-wife and their son. As his physical and mental state deteriorates, the boundaries between his personal life, his memories, and his cinematic obsessions blur into a chaotic, disorienting experience.

Gaspar Noé's 'Vortex' received a polarized but generally positive reception from critics, who lauded its raw emotional intensity and audacious filmmaking. Reviewers noted its unflinching portrayal of aging, illness, and the fragility of memory, often calling it Noé's most personal and mature work to date. However, some found its bleakness overwhelming and its experimental narrative challenging.

• Praised for its deeply personal and emotionally resonant exploration of mortality and memory.
• Commended for Gaspar Noé's signature bold and often confronting directorial style.
• Acknowledged for powerful performances, particularly from the lead actors portraying the couple.

Google audience: Audiences found 'Vortex' to be a profoundly moving and unsettling film. Many appreciated its realistic depiction of aging and the emotional toll of illness, while others found the relentless bleakness difficult to endure. The film's experimental structure and intense subject matter resonated strongly with those seeking challenging cinema.

Selected to screen out of competition at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

The film was shot on 35mm film in a single apartment in Paris, with Noé himself operating the camera for much of the shoot.