Generation 14plus screening - review - WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi
A group of housemates lead incredibly normal lives as bloodsucking vampires from different eras. Defying the forever-young romanticism of glittery-skinned vampires of the new age, Waititi’s and Clement’s film makes a wide use of references from the much more romantic vampire figures of old.
What We Do in the Shadows is a fresh and remarkable series of creative gags - from vampires struggling to get ready for a night out without being able to look at their own reflection through the mirror to then not being able to enter a night club due to the fact that the bouncer doesn’t directly invite them in. They are collectively held together by the impulsiveness of improvisation that also works wonders for the mockumentary format the filmmakers choose to employ.
What We Do in the Shadows quietly yet surely could be considered one of the hidden gems of this year’s edition of the Berlinale and one of the most delightfully entertaining feature film comedies in a while. The only risk is that this film might not get the proper consideration it deserves, due to its overall simplicity. Despite the fact that its simplicity is undoubtedly a vital part of the fun, it is also undeniable that What We Do in the Shadows ambitiously and without pretention takes on many cinematic taboos that have plagued the big screen for a long time. This is not only due to bringing back the appeal of the traditional figures of vampires but also due to a use of TV-like mixtures of influences from The Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm that have arguably never worked so well in feature films. It also stretches the boundaries of the genre of mockumentaries that, despite their best intentions, often end up feeling too staged and hence run out of steam early on.
All this also works because of the great chemistry between the cast, and a naturalistic approach that allows each individual character to seem distinctive in a greatly life like way and each member of the cast to influence their interpretations and influence their portrayal with their own distinctive comedic style.
Fun, entertaining and overflowing with creativity unrestrained by straight forward narratives, by the time the film is over, there is a feeling that What We Do in the Shadows could easily have a life after the film. And because it shows incredible versatility in its format, this could turn into a TV series just as easily as it could turn into a sequel. Nevertheless, there is still plenty to be ‘exploited’ out of the characters, and most of the audience can only hope that eventually we will see Waititi, Clement, Rutherford, Brugh and Gonzalez-Maceur return to our screens, big or small.
