New Europe Competition review - ATLANTIC. by Jan-Willem van Ewijk

A life best lived on water. Jan-Willem van Ewijk's film Atlantic. was presented in the New Europe Competition of the 22nd Febiofest - Prague International Film Festival.

 

Atlantic. is the fascinating adventure drama that, with its sparse grey areas, open flirtations with poetic structure and illustrations of existentialist themes seems to openly and naturally recall the latter works of Terence Malick. It does so in a visual sense as much as with its narrative - the latter following the daring adventure of a young Moroccan man named Fettah who decides to set off on an incredible journey as he hopes to cross the 300km distance between Morocco and the European coast on his windsurf. This feat is inprired by his encounter with a mysterious woman, whom he meets on land. However, the woman might as well not physically exist, or rather exist as a concept, a siren like voice in young Fettah's head that spurs him on an incredible audacious journey.

 

Just as charming is the non linear and downright experimental juxtaposition of life on land and life on the water. Fettah seems rather more comfortable on the ocean that in the emotional vortex and psychological drama of life with his feet firmly planted on the ground. Even as we see him connect in his relationships with friends, family and loved ones, his taciturn ways reveal him as a fish out of water, while his gaze lost in the horizons seems to naturally be directed towards the open waters - an unstoppable magnetism. Likewise, when he walks around the streets of towns in his windsurfing attire, people seem to stare at him as he uncaringly walks right through them, illustrating a point of drastic alienation.

 

As mentioned before, the visuals in the film are incredible. Admittedly, a times, they are so breathtaking that it seems to totally overwhelm any narrative or thematic intentions that van Ewik might have for Atlantic. There are moments when the heavy usage of poetry, mystical whispers and clear headed plot developments actually feel like a distraction that prevents the film from allowing us to indulge - or more appropriately fully immerge ourselves - in the solemn poetic experience constructed with ambitious shots that constantly shift from handheld to carefully constructed and spectacular crane shots and areal shots.

 

Such an immersion in the dreamlike and meditative state of the film is, however, enhanced by the wonderful string drones of the music that closely tie the Ocean with a concept of heaven. Likewise, land feels like a divine comedy representation of hell, especially in intersecting sequences of a tribal like party, around a campfire, with the invading sounds of drums sounding like a mystical representation of sinister, nightmarish sensations. Such intersection, and its force, works wonders in creating a type of tension that rises above the sheer poetic excercise of the film, and prevents Atlantic. from feeling like lacking a three dimensional depth, and depending on its undoubtable aesthetic appeal.

ATLANTIC Trailer | Festival 2014 from TIFF on Vimeo.