Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: STANLEYVILLE [Fantasia Film Festival 2021 - Virtual]

The aspect of choice and Darwinism are central themes in "Stanleyville" which uses the effects of thematic psychology placing 5 people in a room with a hope of reward but different ideas of fulfillment. The texture of winning or losing are an interesting diatribe within the context of the plot. Susanne Wuest, who also starred in "Goodnight Mommy" ,plays Maria who is on an existential journey of sorts when she is swirled up into a contest of wills. Without giving too much away, the participants must complete a series of tasks. This is not horror movie tropes restructured but more a perspective of the mind and how it can unravel because of individual hang-ups. Each of the characters has a reason for being there, all in certain ways very much to their own fault. Now the different challenges could be seen as limbo within the circles of Hell in one context. But the aspects of the human condition are on full display with characters focusing on everything from greed to gluttony to ego to identity to courage.

There is a conductor in all this but he is played off and aloof as a hapless fool which is sort of a reflection on society as a whole. What is interesting is a larger construct which, in a way, is personified by the conch shell seen in the promotional photo. It might be just a symbol. It could be an allusion to a fake god or lost opportunity. That said, "Stanleyville" is mostly subtle in its approach and in its lack of any effects yet it functions completely as a genre film while it also could be easily a stage play. It brings to mind the abstract in a simpler way than say "Waiting For Godot". Everyone is searching for a path but when the door is opened, what does that ultimately mean? B+

By Tim Wassberg