MONOLITH, the latest work by director Julius Schultheiß, begins in the relaxed atmosphere of a Berlin clique. The film starts with overlapping dialogs reminiscent of Robert Altman's authentic narrative style. At the center of the plot is Samir (Thomas Halle), a character who is deliberately kept featureless - and keeps himself as such. In contrast to Schultheiß' debut film LOTTE (also on Sooner), MONOLITH shows a rougher, unembellished depiction of urban life. Over a 24-hour period, Samir's life unfolds with all its complications: from the comments of those around him, to his tired appearance, to his relationships with his ex-wife, his child, his lover, and gradually to the hidden things that dramatically connect the seemingly incoherent. The film is characterized by its noir realism and subtle tension, complemented by occasional slow-motion shots and the hypnotic score. Inspired by a personal loss, Schultheiss creates both an individual and a social parallel world in MONOLITH, with Samir's two lives as the connecting element. MONOLITH is an existentialist exploration that plunges viewers deep into the life of a complex character. The movie is a captivating portrayal of a man who breaks down within a day of his transformation.
A 24-hour odyssey through Berlin, full of subtle tension and existential questions.
MONOLITH, the latest work by director Julius Schultheiß, begins in the relaxed atmosphere of a Berlin clique. The film starts with overlapping dialogs reminiscent of Robert Altman's authentic narrative style. At the center of the plot is Samir (Thomas Halle), a character who is deliberately kept featureless - and keeps himself as such.
In contrast to Schultheiß' debut film LOTTE (also on Sooner), MONOLITH shows a rougher, unembellished depiction of urban life. Over a 24-hour period, Samir's life unfolds with all its complications: from the comments of those around him, to his tired appearance, to his relationships with his ex-wife, his child, his lover, and gradually to the hidden things that dramatically connect the seemingly incoherent.
The film is characterized by its noir realism and subtle tension, complemented by occasional slow-motion shots and the hypnotic score. Inspired by a personal loss, Schultheiss creates both an individual and a social parallel world in MONOLITH, with Samir's two lives as the connecting element.
MONOLITH is an existentialist exploration that plunges viewers deep into the life of a complex character. The movie is a captivating portrayal of a man who breaks down within a day of his transformation.