Back in 2018, when we got the chance to seeNicolas Cage’s latest weirdnessextravaganzaMandy, our minds were blown. Not only because it seemed to amplify Cage’s presence in a different style of cinema that we love, but because the film projected a cool premise, with aesthetics that were simply uncommon. We went to see the film because of the actor, and we got so much more.
For most horror fans, this was new and exciting. Horror films don’t usually look like this, andMandyactually stood amongst more respected genre films. The fascination lasted long with follow-ups in the form ofaMandyvideo gameandone weird goblinthat seemed to be everywhere, which was probably not what the director had in mind in the beginning.Panos Cosmatoswas streamlined becauseMandybecame a horror phenomenon among cult film discussions.
But for some others, the film was also a return to a unique world Cosmatos had proposed years ago. His first feature film wasBeyond the Black Rainbow, which you probably remember because of its weird cover art and not much more. If you believeMandywas a compelling story stuck in a weird-looking presentation, withBeyond the Black Rainbowyou will probably stare in awe at what Cosmatos is actually trying to tell you. And no, it is definitely not clear.
Which brings the question: Is there an interesting story inBeyond the Black Rainbow?
Beyond the Black Rainbow Does Have a Meaning, if You Actually Get It
InBeyond the Black Rainbow, a scientist is keeping a young girl captive in a futuristic institute during the 80s. He’s fascinated with Elena’s psychic abilities and is trying to somehow use her powers to understand the link between science and a spiritual plane. Doctor Nyle’s strange behavior is a product of his past as he’s a protégé of the scientist who created the institute, and there’s something traumatic from back then. When Elena’s past also becomes part of the story, Nyle’s primal intentions come to light.
As simple as the story sounds, there’s much more to it.Beyond the Black Rainbowis a complex sensorial experience that’s shot at a very slow pace, and the editing doesn’t make it any better. It’s easier to digest and understand in the end, once you’re already out of the void Cosmatos has created for you.
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Further into the third act, there’s more to discover about the lead character’s ultimate goal. There are themes of sexual repression, identity disorder,and psychedelic experimentationthat flood the storyline, making Elena’s possible escape much more dramatic. Nyle turns into a horrific monster in a narrative process that’s invasive for the audience.
A Masterclass in Design By Panos Cosmatos
At this point, you probably will have guessed thatBeyond the Black Rainbowisn’t like most other modern films. It just doesn’t feel like a regular film, from its visuals to the way it’s intentionally paced. Cosmatos is the master behind this cinematic experience that’s simultaneously exciting and excruciating, when scenes are painfully slow and probably meaningless. This isn’t a story-driven film. What you get is only reactionary, and it’s definitely admissible.
Every frame is meticulously composed. Every minute of the film has a stylistic intention; it’s just not what you think. Cosmatos creates an atmosphere in which you decide to reside for 109 minutes. You’re in his design.
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But most films should be an emotional ride. At least, that’s what the theory says. Every kind of judgment should be made according to what characters make you feel and think. In the case of Cosmatos’great experimental film(if you can even call it that), there’s an intentional disconnection that will take you off the beaten path and make you go for the primal areas of your mind in order to despise Nyle. Cheering for Elena? Not as easy. Nothing is accessible here with the level of emotional distance Cosmatos creates between the viewer and the characters. Instead, everything is dictated by aesthetics.
What Does a Futuristic Nightmare Look and Sound Like?
People say dreams have meanings. Maybe they do, or maybe they’re simply expressions of something as chaotic as the human mind. Nightmares are darker in nature, possibly more incontrollable. Sure, psychoanalysis can attempt to apply meaning to these subconscious murmurs, but it’s ultimately all a projection. Like dreams,Beyond the Black Rainbowmight exist in a state ofpre-meaning.
Beyond the Black Rainbowis a version of a beautiful, artistic, nightmarish vision of a man trying to tell a story. Cosmatos’ personal childhood included going to the video store and imagining films out of cover art because he wasn’t allowed to see them. He has taken his form of expression towards a direction that few filmmakers (at least in the mainstream side of the industry) have dared to take a step in.
WithMandy,he definitely confirmed his style, but that production was more restricted, and he was also trustworthy.Beyond the Black Rainbow, however, is this fascinating experiment where a story is definitely a lesser element in what he’s trying to communicate, and control becomes secondary. A few minutes into the drone hum of Sinoia Caves’ massive, haunting,and brilliant film score, you’ll find yourself in the hands of a twisted mind who has the capacity of materializing dreams and nightmares through beautifully shot films. Just like a dream, how much does it really matter what it means?
