Heavy-handed environmental message movie is the ultimate hypocrisy…
No matter where you live, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the SPHERE by now. A massive new entertainment venue, it’s a global sensation…as eye-catching on the outside as it is from within. The ultimate achievement in technology and excess, SPHERE rose from an unprecedented health crisis to become the new heart of a debauchery-centric city.
With a price tag of over $2.3 billion, SPHERE is probably the most expensive theater ever built. The tagline is “A world-first immersive destination”. Take from that what you will.
So how much gall-dacity does it take to create a preachy ecological message movie specifically for a shrine to the commercial gods? Your answer lies with Darren Aronofsky, the polarizing visionary behind Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, and The Whale. The award-winning filmmaker is the director of POSTCARD FROM EARTH, a pseudo-documentary that debuted this Friday, October 6th, at SPHERE.
VEGAS 411 attended the premiere, an event with VIP parties before and after the screening. Aronofsky introduced the film to a crowd of roughly 5,000, extolling the virtues of SPHERE‘s extreme technology. He lauded the lengthy list of individuals behind SPHERE‘s creation, along with the team that helped to bring POSTCARD FROM EARTH to its screen. Then he stepped back, allowing his film to continue the speech.
POSTCARD echoes IMAX documentaries that play in science museums around the world. Gloriously photographed landscapes, sunsets, wild herds, weather patterns, and underwater settings are accentuated by a beautifully composed (and thunderous) soundtrack. Voiceover actors deliver oh-so-serious narration of life’s evolution from primitive cells into plants and animals. Fragrances, breezes, and seat vibrations enhance the reality of what you’re watching.
Eventually, the beast known as “man” appears, and we’re treated to beautiful shots of lantern festivals, dance parties, towering cathedrals, and hot air balloons. Then the narrative takes a sudden turn. As charming villages give way to overcrowded cities, the images become sped up and darker. The music score telegraphs an ominous direction, then orange groves are replaced by strip mines, oil fields, and the stench of sulfur pools.
SPOILER ALERT – What follows from there is a depressing wake-up call. Ghettos, sewage, urban rot, and abandoned structures are exhibited in glorious 18K resolution. Eventually, Mother Earth becomes uninhabitable, and we’re treated to a future in which the planet goes dark and humans relocate to orbiting colonies.
It turns out the narrators are a male/female pair of deep-space astronauts from a far-flung future. Mother Earth cried out in pain, shook off its human virus, and began a centuries-long healing process. Mankind took to the stars in search of new places to populate (and destroy?).
This Adam and Eve have landed on a barren, lifeless astral body. Armed with a “Genesis device” that can create a new Earth, they bury it in the gravel and step back as an instant Garden of Eden appears. Staring at each other with passion, they’re ready to begin mankind’s next attempt at universal dominance. But will they take a less destructive path?
THE END
POSTCARD FROM EARTH is undoubtedly the most stunning multi-sensory film you can currently see on the planet. At roughly sixty minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and every single shot is breathtaking. The sound system is equally flawless, creating a convincing immersive environment without the slightest distortion. In other words, the “miracle of life as seen through the lens of technology”. Technology, the very thing that POSTCARD FROM EARTH seems to abhor.
Yes, POSTCARD is very preachy and doesn’t disguise its intent. The irony was not lost on post-screening party guests. As they enjoyed lobster tails, shrimp, and an open bar, attendees excitedly discussed what they’d seen. Many of the conversations echoed my own thoughts:
“The gall of them to commission this film for the SPHERE of all places!”
“How many natural resources were depleted to build this theater? How much energy does it consume each day?”
“So we’re supposed to feel ashamed about scorching the Earth, yet here we are in a city choked by endless construction in all directions.”
Your response to POSTCARD FROM EARTH will most likely depend on your views of climate change, overpopulation, and perhaps even of faith. There’s no denying that it’s the superlative sensory experience the creators intended. So if you’re eager for the “wow factor”, you’re sure to be thrilled.
Darren Aronofsky’s THE FOUNTAIN (Warner Bros)
But coming from a director whose feature films THE FOUNTAIN and MOTHER! castigated mankind’s role in poisoning Earth, this is the ultimate hypocrisy. And with ticket prices ranging from $49.00 to $249.00 (plus taxes/fees), the film isn’t priced for average moviegoers.
POSTCARD FROM EARTH is worth the trip, but you may experience buyer’s remorse…and a heavy dose of guilt.
POSTCARD FROM EARTH plays on various dates and times. Click here for the full schedule and to order tickets. SPHERE is located at 255 Sands Avenue. Parking is extremely limited at $100.00 for self-park, and $125.00 for valet.
