Forum of Independents competition - BEYOND HERE by Hugo Bousquet

Hugo Bousquet examines a relationship under strains in the desolation of the mountains in his film Beyond Here, which had its world premiere in the Forum of Independents section of the 50th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The story of Beyond Here by Hugo Bousquet takes place in a mythical mountainous setting. It is here that we follow the life of a young couple, Lea and Basile, who have been trekking the setting for months and going from one hut to the next until they find one with plenty of food and drink and decide to momentarily settle there. Their seemingly idyllic and utopian lifestyle is disturbed by Basile's reoccurring nightmares and paranoia, born out of a fear that there is a menacing someting out there. 

One day, a weather beaten man who speaks a different language they cannot understand shows up at their door. His presence further places the balance of the relationship of the pivotal couple under strains. Furthermore, it leads to a juxtaposition of themes of masculinity, which is enhanced by the primordial way in which the three character begin to behave.

In fact, the performances become more and more physical as Beyond Here progresses. This tied together with the spectacular and desolate winter setting leads to a feeling of timelessness that accompanies the film - they might as well be cavemen from the beginning of time. The cinematography by Fiona Braillon is just as able to glorify the wonderful and yet dangerous appeal of the seemingly endless mountains as she is at picking up the looks, silences, gazes and body language that become the main way in which the characters not only interact but express their feelings. It is only fair hence to praise the editing work by Jeanne Plassier, a work that gives a cohesive effect to the original vision and allows the build up of the psychological tension that dictates the film to show even more prominently. 

The flaw comes from the risk filmmaker Bousquet takes in choosing to make use of a compressed storyline. Of course, this is a storyline that seems metaphorical and darkly poetic. There is nothing wrong with that, and in fact one can admire the provocation in its thematic representation. Nevertheless, the characters themselves, with a frustrating lack of a backstory and their many flaws, might probably leave the viewer feeling cold. It's difficult to understand their motives. Furthermore, the film doesn't really kick in until about the half way mark, when the third character is introduced. The slow start very much affects its pace, which is particularly underwhelming in a film that only runs to little over the hour and ten minute mark.