WOW FILM FESTIVAL: BY THE TIME IT GETS DARK | FILM REVIEW
The first thing you immediately notice about Anocha Suwichakornpong’s second feature, By The Time It Gets Dark, is that the film is all about the power of the image and how it an be used to explore themes of memory and identity. Opening with an introduction that’s full of what feel like still images – even when the camera moves, it doesn’t feel like it is – it perfectly sets up the tone of what’s to come; a quiet piece of work which aims not to tell you how to feel, but to show you.
This could be largely down to the film’s subject matter, the 1976 Thammasat University massacre, which the director has been forced to deal with in a way that wouldn’t come under scrutiny from the Thai government’s censorship. Rather than outrightly express feelings on the event, she has instead had to create a dreamlike narrative that requires some serious deciphering of the visuals to fully understand its meaning.
Fortunately, as a film that relies heavily on its imagery, the cinematography from Ming-Kai Leung is exquisite. Photography plays an important part in the story, with characters constantly confiding in and recording themselves on camera throughout, so it’s not surprise that the film feels like a string of beautifully framed photographs that could sit nicely in a gallery.
However, whilst By The Time It Gets Dark is unquestionably stunning to look at, the fractured storytelling of the piece is an acquired taste. With the constant moving back and forth in time, the layer upon layer of narrative and all of the gaps in between, it’s easy to feel lost within the film – and not necessarily in a good way. There’s no doubting that it’s the type of polarising picture that you’ll either love or hate, but either way it’s worth giving a go based on the lovely cinematography alone.
By The Time It Gets Dark will screen at 5.30pm on Fri 24 Mar at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Info: www.wowfilmfestival.com
words JOE RICHARDS