The Film Festival Doctor

When it comes to the topic of 3D, I’m really not sure what to make of it - perhaps this is because it’s too early to make a judgement on it. I don’t love it and I don’t hate it. I didn’t enjoy Avatar but I did have fun watching the dire Pirana 3D. An upcoming cinema release of a 3D film never tends to excite me, however Iron Doors in 3D certainly has. We were originally going to screen it during Abertoir in 2D but director Stephen Manuel requested that we show it in 3D – which we were of course more than happy to do.

Only part of the film is in 3D (the ending I believe which has changed) so I’m looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of the film and its use of this technology after the screening. The film is a claustrophobic German film shot in English, which hooks you in from the moment it begins whilst keeping you constantly guessing. An anonymous banker wakes up one morning in a concrete cell and all that is in the cell with him is a dead rat covered in maggots, a ceiling light and a huge metal vault door. Our hero has no memory of where he is or how he got there; unpredictable twists, turns and red herrings all follow.

For a film which is low on plot and big set-pieces this is compelling stuff as it is instead a much more intimate film, and quite similar to the Cary Elwes portion of Saw (minus Jigsaw). I imagine that the talking point after the screening will be the 3D aspect of the film and conversations such as ‘why was this in 3D?’ will emerge. However, I think the key question to explore will be ‘what did 3D add to Iron Doors?’ This is, in fact, a question which can be addressed to many other 3D films in addition to this one, as the above question could be useful to dwell upon in the future, as surely for a film to be in 3D there must be a purpose? Perhaps I’ll be convinced and warm more to 3D when it is used in a way to create depth instead of just having things popping out at the camera... let the debates begin at around 5pm!

On a side note - I can't quite believe that Abertoir is now tomorrow?! I've got that good scared feeling going through inside me right now - nervous excitment I think its called! Will let you know how it all goes next week as soon as I've recoverd! :)