Strata (film)
| Strata | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Geoff Steven |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | John Maynard |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Leon Narbey |
| Edited by | David Coulson |
| Music by | Mike Nock |
Production company | Phase Three Film Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 min |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Language | English |
Strata is a 1983 New Zealand film.[1] It premiered at Cannes on 15 May 1983.[2]
Synopsis
Two groups wander the Volcanic Plateau. One is a team comprising a vulcanologist, a writer and a photographer, and the other is a group of five people who have escaped from quarantine.
Cast
- Nigel Davenport as Victor
- John Banas as Steve
- Judy Morris as Margaret
- Patrick Smyth as Quarantine Doctor
- John Watson as Doctor
- Anne Walls as Receptionist
- Tom Brennan as Eric
- Roy Billing as Keith
- Peter Nicoll as Tony
- Mary Regan as Gaylene
- Ctibor Turba as Thomas
- Norman Forsey as Dr. Hunter
- Philip Holder as Orderly
- Phillip Gordon as Helicopter Pilot
Reception
New Zealand film, 1912-1996 says "The characters represent ideas and are never credible as people."[1] Rosemary Hemmings in Art New Zealand writes "Strata is pervaded with a sense of mystery; it more than ever is an essay in surrealism, in what might be called 'magic realism': and this is furthered by Krumbachova's propensity for using symbols to give the impression of things not being quite what they seem; and Stevens's concern as a director to use colours and locations 'not as overt symbols but as nuances'"[3] Variety begins "Strata pays its audience the compliment of assuming that it does not have to use tricks or beguilement to claim total attention.[4] The Oregonian's Ted Mahar notes "before the end, but a bogglingly ambiguous finale is not provocative but simply arbitrary. Various possibilities are quite obvious — and quite cliche. Perhaps Steven hoped to add meaning and mystery by subtracting plot resolution. He simply adds aggravation and dilutes what he'd already done.[5]
References
- 1 2 Martin, Helen; Edwards, Sam (1997). New Zealand film, 1912-1996. Oxford University Press. p. 93. ISBN 9780195583366.
- ↑ Dekker, Diana (13 May 1983), "1000 critics see 'Utu' at Cannes", The Press
- ↑ Hemmings, Rosemary (Winter 1982), "Strata. A Film by Geoff Steven & John Maynard", Art New Zealand
- ↑ "Strata", Variety, 4 May 1983
- ↑ Mahar, Ted (9 March 1986), "'Strata' relates two parallel stories", The Oregonian