Immortal

Immortal, also known as Immortal (Ad Vitam) in some regions, is a visually stunning science fiction film from 2004 with a distinct artistic style. Directed by Enki Bilal, the film stars Linda Hardy, Thomas Kretschmann, and Charlotte Rampling among others. Immortal is unusual in that it adapts various aspects of Enki Bilal's own comic book series, notably "La Foire aux immortels" or "The Carnival of Immortals", distinctive for its blend of fantasy and dystopian themes.

Set in 2095, Immortal firmly explores a futuristic New York, a sprawling, towering city that reflects the classical elements of a dystopian environment, whose skyline is punctuated by looming pyramid structures that look out of this world. The visual elements of the film are a spectacular feast for the eyes, vividly representing a grandeur that is uncharacteristically futuristic and a living testament to advanced CGI design.

In this sprawling metropolis, several storylines are intricately woven. The first involves Jill, portrayed by Linda Hardy, a mysterious woman with striking blue hair and eternally youthful skin. Jill, it is soon revealed, is not entirely human. She possesses no body heat and is unable to remember her past. Her defining characteristic, besides her physical appearance, is a set of tears that constantly flow for reasons unknown. Hardy impressively gives life to the ethereal quality and enigmatic nature of her character.

Then, there is Horus, an Ancient Egyptian god in the form of a humanoid bird. He has been granted permission to spend seven days on Earth in mortal form, leaving havoc and disorder in his trail. Horus is hunting for a suitable human host and a woman to conceive his child, against the backdrop of a world struggling with genetic mutation and advanced technology.

Completing the trio is Thomas Kretschmann’s character, Nikopol, a disoriented rebel and talented artist, waking up in this strange new world after his sentence of a 30-year frozen suspension in space. Kretschmann convincingly depicts the character, caught in between the realms of past and future, reflecting both confusion and curiosity that one might associate with unintentional time travel.

As the narrative progresses, the film digs deeper into the worlds of mythology, technology and human condition, creating an intriguing dynamic between these fascinating characters, leading to a narrative that walks the line between realism and fantasy, the physical and the metaphysical. It evokes themes of power, vulnerability, and the essence of humanity and provides social and cultural commentary on subjects such as class distinctions, the struggle for survival, and corruption.

Charlotte Rampling also delivers a memorable performance, deftly navigating the complexities of her role in the vastly mutated realm. She, along with Hardy and Kretschmann, lend further depth to an already complex and layered plot.

The cinematography is truly impressive, and the highly-stylized cityscapes, impressively detailed CGI, and Bilal's surrealistic vision make the film a visual spectacle. The aesthetic is at once surreal and concrete, a testament to the carefully crafted blend of live-action and computer-generated imagery. Sci-fi enthusiasts will appreciate Immortal for its distinctive tone and style.

Despite being clad in heavy futuristic themes, Immortal finds a way to dissect the concepts of life, love, endurance, and the persistent struggle for identity and survival amid the increasingly entangled mesh of human and cyborg existence.

In essence, Immortal, with its deep, complex narrative, spectacle of advanced CGI, and well-performed cast, offers a thought-provoking exploration of futuristic dystopian reality as it intermingles with ancient mythology, creating a unique cinematic experience.