theglobeandmail.com
Steal Away": Virgo's Afrofuturistic Thriller
Clement Virgo's "Steal Away," premiering at TIFF 2025, is an Afrofuturistic psychosexual thriller following two young women in an undefined alternate reality, marking a stylistic departure from his previous naturalistic works and reflecting his return to early filmmaking instincts.
- How does the film's setting and allegorical approach contribute to its exploration of societal evils and female relationships?
- Virgo's stylistic choices reflect a return to his early filmmaking instincts, prioritizing world-building over realism, drawing inspiration from directors like Guillermo del Toro and David Lynch. The film uses allegory, fantastical elements, and experimental aesthetics to explore societal evils and the complexities of female relationships. This marks a significant shift from his recent television work, which often features naturalistic settings and technology-driven narratives.
- What are the potential long-term impacts of "Steal Away" on the cinematic landscape, especially concerning genre experimentation and representation of marginalized voices?
- Steal Away"'s experimental nature may influence future filmmaking trends, pushing boundaries in genre blending and visual storytelling. The film's success could inspire other filmmakers to explore Afrofuturism and allegorical narratives, potentially impacting the representation of marginalized voices and historical perspectives in film. The film's reception at TIFF will likely shape its future distribution and critical acclaim.
- What are the key stylistic and thematic departures in "Steal Away" compared to Clement Virgo's previous work, and what are the potential implications for his future career?
- Steal Away", Clement Virgo's new film, is a departure from his previous work, blending Afrofuturism and a psychosexual thriller, set in an undefined, possibly alternate reality. The film follows two young women, a naive white teen and a cynical Black refugee, navigating a world that blends historical periods and geographical locations.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review frames Steal Away as a bold, experimental departure from the director's previous work, emphasizing its unique visual style and allegorical nature. This framing prioritizes the director's artistic choices and personal journey over a potential critical analysis of the film's themes and effectiveness. The repeated use of positive adjectives ("bold," "defiant," "revelation") enhances this positive framing. The opening sentence sets the stage for this positive framing by suggesting a successful "homecoming" followed by a "defiant departure," subtly implying success in both.
Language Bias
The review employs overwhelmingly positive language to describe the film and director's choices ("defiant," "bold," "revelation," "eloquently"). While the enthusiasm is understandable, this positive language lacks critical objectivity and could potentially skew the reader's perception of the film's quality. More neutral language would improve objectivity. For example, instead of "revelation," a more neutral descriptor like "strong performance" could be used.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the director's creative choices and personal journey, neglecting detailed plot summaries or critical analysis of the film's narrative beyond broad strokes. While this approach offers insights into the director's intentions, it omits crucial information needed for a comprehensive evaluation of the film's content and impact. The lack of specific plot points and detailed character analysis limits the reader's ability to form an informed opinion on the film itself.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat simplistic view of the film as either a "homecoming" or a "defiant departure." This dichotomy overlooks the potential for the film to be both simultaneously, a complex achievement that the review doesn't fully explore. The framing of the film's style as either Afrofuturism or psychosexual thriller ignores potential interplay between these elements.
Gender Bias
The review focuses extensively on the director's collaboration with his female partner and the film's portrayal of two female protagonists. However, it does not analyze the film's portrayal of gender dynamics in detail, nor does it offer a critical examination of gender representation within the context of the historical setting. The review acknowledges the female leads and their perspectives, but doesn't delve into the nuances of gender roles or potential biases in their portrayal.
Sustainable Development Goals
The film centers on the relationship between two young women from different backgrounds, exploring themes of power, sexuality, and survival against the backdrop of a fictional, ambiguous historical setting. The narrative allows for an examination of gender roles and dynamics in a unique and thought-provoking way, prompting reflection on women's experiences and resilience in oppressive environments. The director's choice to focus on the inner lives and perspectives of these women, rather than those of men, also contributes to the film's positive impact on SDG 5.