FILM REVIEW: ‘An Elephant Sitting Still’
An Elephant Sitting Still
May 14, 2023
Erik’s score: 4.5/5 stars
* * *
“Life just won’t get better. It’s all about agony. That agony has begun since you were born. You think that a new place will change your fate? It’s bullshit. New place, new sufferings. You understand? No one truly knows about existence.”
One final message. Director Hu Bo left one final message to his audience before departing this world after tragically taking his own life shortly after finishing production on his one and only film in 2017.
“An Elephant Sitting Still” can in many ways be seen as a suicide note left behind by Hu Bo. The film is rooted in a deep melancholy, with an air about it that invokes the darkest emotions one can feel as it relates to internal struggles.
Misery and mental anguish come in many ways, be it in the form of depression or simply existing in a painfully cruel world. The question this film asks is “what is the point of it all?” Through all the suffering and torment, what are the reasons that push us to keep on living?
It’s easy to get lost in the nihilistic silhouette that is seemingly painted on a surface level, however, if you dig deeper, there’s more to this than a void of hopelessness. It’s a commentary and exploration of the social and economic conditions that led the characters in this story down their paths. It’s a piece that values understanding of the human mind and the fragility that often comes with emotional vulnerability.
At the heart of the film stands an elephant. An elephant completely oblivious to the agony of this world. It sits there, in the same spot, in total serenity. A stark reminder that no matter what, no matter the challenges life throws, life continues ad infinitum. The characters in this story take solace in this elephant and seek to indulge in the care-free life of the elephant. A dream that they all pursue. A willfully ignorant dream.
At nearly four hours in length, there is no shortage of story-telling or depictions of grim realities that the four main protagonists go through over the course of 230 minutes. With its enormous runtime, it would be valid for viewers to be concerned about bloatedness, yet the film never goes through rough patches pacing-wise. It delivers a consistently cohesive and tight work that is engaging and nothing short of heart-rending from the opening scene to the second the credits roll. The cinematography, camera-work, sound design, music and performances are stellar and intertwine to make a truly special work.
This movie isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s heart-wrenching and gutting. From depicting bullying to suicide and abuse, it’s by no means an “easy” watch. However, if you can stomach the very serious subject matter and themes it addresses, it’s one of the most cathartic experiences that the medium has to offer. A near masterpiece and an artistic marvel. ‘An Elephant Sitting Still’ is the essence of what it means to be human.
