Cannes. Involuntary.

"Human folly in its rich variety gets a brisk, chilly airing in Involuntary, an inventive ensemble piece from Swedish director-writer Ruben Östlund," writes Jonathan Romney in Screen Daily.

"Using a sprawling cast comprised largely of unknowns and non-professionals - with one notable exception - Östlund paints a coolly non-judgmental comic picture of the appalling things people do to each other, and to themselves, when weak will, peer pressure and plain foolishness come into play."

Updated through 5/21.

"Structured like a set of interspersed, but not interconnected, short films, sophomore outing for helmer Ruben Östlund (The Guitar Mongoloid) features characters ranging from teens to the late-middle-age, often facing moral dilemmas about when to speak up or stay silent," writes Leslie Felperin in Variety.

The film "takes a look at a series of unconnected episodes involving people of assorted ages doing very little of interest," writes Ray Bennett in the Hollywood Reporter. Östlund "employs a filming technique using a static camera aimed with no attempt to frame what's being observed so that individuals are half seen or simply offscreen. It is deeply off-putting."

"The film itself reminds of Sweden's reputation for being polished, antiseptic, even," suggests Ali Zaderzad at Screen Comment.

Un Certain Regard.

Update, 5/21: Online viewing tip. Cineuropa talks with key players.

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Coverage of the coverage: Cannes 08.

Last year: Cannes @ 60. And Cannes 06.

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Posted by dwhudson at May 20, 2008 12:17 PM