Lection

Lection is a riveting post-apocalyptic film released in 2019, written and directed by the innovative David Axe, and featuring a talented cast that includes Mike Amason, Jennifer Hill, and Bradley J. Petit. It is a story set in a world coming undone, where survival is not just about fending off existential risks, but also wrestling with the tyranny of unbridled power and the stakes of human autonomy.

In Lection, the audience is thrust into a bleak and dangerous future, where civilization as we know it has collapsed. The earth is stripped of its technology, economy, and governance, leaving humanity in an unrecognizable state of survival. The setting is an isolated, timeless rural village, detached from landmarks of modern civilization.

Mike Amason plays a vital role as a villager striving to maintain some semblance of human decency in a dystopian world where brutal survivalism is the norm. His performance is a study in quiet determination, interspersed with moments of raw vulnerability. Jennifer Hill's character, on the other hand, offers a contrasting outlook, a pragmatist fully adapted to the harsh realities of the world. Hill is a clear standout in the film, with her ability to convey profound emotions and complex intentions with minimal dialogue.

Bradley J. Petit delivers an intriguing performance as an antagonist in a world where morality is as fluid as the communal dynamics. His nuanced portrayal adds layers to the overall narrative, redefining the boundaries between power and exploitation, compulsion, and choice.

The movie’s title, 'Lection,' refers to an archaic word for ‘election’. The term seems fitting as an eerie election takes center stage in Lection's plot. This makeshift democratic event is not about policies or leadership, but about exerting power, control, and subjugation, a stark deviation from our familiar concept of democracy.

With the harsh reality of a doomed world as its backdrop, this indie film delves into the power dynamics of leadership and the manipulation of people in communal cultures. As the villagers come together to host an election to determine their leaders, it brings forth raw emotions, raw power, and what lengths individuals are willing to go to secure their position.

Lection is not your typical post-apocalyptic movie. It bypasses the usual tropes of monstrous creatures or a virus ravaging the Earth and instead centers on the human cost of survival, the political implications of power, and the societal devastation that comes with the collapse of order.

David Axe’s direction is admirably restrained, with a clear focus on delivering a slow-burning atmosphere that keeps you on tenterhooks throughout the movie. The film's cinematography displays a stark, minimalist beauty that effectively communicates the bleakness of its world and the desolation of its characters. The landscapes in the movie echo the stark realities of a society void of modern amenities, matching the narrative’s grim and foreboding tone.

The power play, mingled with individual survival strategies, forms the crux of this indie movie. Lection is not just a film about survival in a post-apocalyptic world; it is also a political drama that uncovers how regimes can rise from chaos and how power can be used as a means of dominance rather than as an instrument for equitable governance.

The film's dialogues are sparse, but every line promises an underlying significance, a testament to David Axe’s ingenious writing. While the screenplay revolves around an election, the movie's essence highlights the human experiences and the social hierarchies that form in this desolate world. Dramatic tension builds as the complexities of power and coercion intertwine with basic survival instincts.

In summary, Lection is an intriguing dive into a dystopian world that explores the concept of power in a society that's fallen from grace. With compelling performances from Mike Amason, Jennifer Hill, and Bradley J. Petit, the movie manages to weather the desolate landscape to deliver a potent narrative about survival, democracy, and power dynamics in a world stripped of conventional guiding principles. It's a movie that bravely explores the human condition against a backdrop of societal decay, making it a worthy watch for those seeking a deeper, introspective post-apocalyptic film.