Vineta (2006)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

An awarded workaholic architect Sebastian Färber (Peter Lohmeyer) is invited to the island of Vineta in the Baltic Sea and told about plans to build an ultra-safe community full of security cameras and other supervising equipment. He deems the plans totalitarian and accepts the job of creating an alternative, more open and modern plan for the future community and works day and night to complete his work. After some tragic events regarding the few other people on the island, Färber gets suspicious about the project and finds out the truth behind his assignment – things aren't what he thought they were.Even though it may sound like a techno-thriller, the focus of Vineta is on personal relationships and the importance of not hiding your weakness from your loved ones. The story advances at a somewhat peaceful pace, frequently paused by fades to bright red or blue. The shots of a running flock of flamingos at the beginning and the end look very nice and have a strong connection to the theme of the film. Personally I didn't find the story absorbing enough to make the movie a great one, but Vineta is still worth watching if you like quiet, personal dramas.

I caught this flick at Worldfest Houston(www.worldfest.org) this past weekend. It is well made with an interesting plot. The mood is set right from the beginning and it definitely has that Eastern European feel from moment one. It is well acted and has a great twist ending. If you are tired of Hollywood studio drivel you will appreciate it...Actually, this film festival is the only time of year I go to the theater. Worldfest Houston has been around for 40 years and discovered Spielberg, Lucas, Ridley Scott, Ang Lee and the Coen Brothers. They each received their first awards at this festival. We are lucky to get a break from the usual junk!