Attenberg

Attenberg is a poignant, thought-provoking film from Greek cinema, directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari and released in 2010. The movie is renowned for its beautifully balanced mix of heartfelt emotions, dry humor, and detailed presentation of human nature as distilled through the otherwise ordinary lives of everyday people. The film stars Ariane Labed, Vangelis Mourikis, and Evangelia Randou, whose performances have been lauded for their sincerity and depth.

Attenberg, connoting the last name of the famous British naturalist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, reveals the profound influence of Attenborough's nature documentaries on the narrative and its protagonist, Marina, flawlessly portrayed by Ariane Labed. Marina is a young woman in her early twenties, grappling with her sexual identity and the impending death of her father, Spyros (Vangelis Mourikis). Despite its introspective approach, Attenberg is far from monotonous. The premise might seem quite ordinary, but its execution drenches it in an extraordinary light.

Brought up in an almost sterile, industrial region of Greece, Marina’s interactions with the outside world have been largely limited. Her closest friend, Bella (Evangelia Randou), steps in to rescue Marina from her sexual inexperience, leading to a series of awkward, amusing, sexually-charged explorations. These scenes are imbued with a mix of unease and almost comedic levity, reflecting Marina’s disjointed view of intimacy.

While experiences and sexual education at the hands of Bella aim to ground her in the human world and its familiar preoccupations, Marina finds solace, guidance, and a clearer comprehension of life in the documentaries of Attenborough. She often mimics the behaviors of the animals seen in these documentaries, further highlighting her disconnect from societal norms and her search for identity, contextualizing her individual existence. These unorthodox behaviors are portrayed naturally in the film, making Attenberg a distinctive piece of cinema that pushes the boundaries of our perceptions.

A salient strand of Attenberg's narrative pertains to the evolving father-daughter relationship. Spyros is a terminally ill architect who chose to abandon urban dynamics for a quieter yet rusty industrial town life. Mourikis’s portrayal of Spyros beautifully captures the essence of a man resigned to his impending demise. His lessons to Marina about life, love, and her impending independence provide the film with some of its most tender moments.

Attenberg also stands out visually. The cinematic representation of a quiet, decaying industrial town, viewed through Marina's eyes, is as stark and captivating as the narrative itself. The scenic austerity serves as a metaphor for the secluded, ill-equipped state of Marina, contributing to her crude perception of life, sexuality, and social interaction.

Moreover, the movie’s pacing is meticulously crafted to mirror Marina’s growth and understanding of the world. Its contemplative rhythm often leads to prolonged moments of quiet introspection, at times jostled by bursts of kinetic energy during Marina’s mimicries of animalistic behavior.

As for the title of the film, it is a deliberate toddler-esque mispronunciation of Attenborough, reflecting Marina's naivety and provides a lens through which her life experiences are filtered. This choice shows the delicately infused charm of the film, coupled with its thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and sexuality. It's simultaneously a coming-of-age story and a meditation on grief, an unsentimental tale of human connection.

In conclusion, Attenberg is a captivating entry in contemporary Greek cinema, known for its bold undertaking of the poignant themes of mortality, sexuality, and human behavioral complexities. It employs a simplistic narrative to explore some profound subjects, fueled by an understated and poignant acting ensemble. With its unique characterization and the deft directorial hand of Tsangari, Attenberg invites the viewers to ponder the many subtleties of life and the human condition. It's an engaging, original work that pushes boundaries and invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the world around them. It beautifully utilizes the backdrop of an unvarnished industrial town to give rise to a story that is as multilayered as it is simple on the surface.