Poser

Poser is a beguiling and intriguing independent film directed by newcomer, Ori Segev and Noah Dixon. The movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021, where it garnered rave reviews. The film features passionate and stirring performances from lead actresses Sylvie Mix and Bobbi Kitten, who perfectly encapsulate the raw and nuanced emotions of their characters along with an impressive supporting cast including Aujolie Baker.

The film provides a captivating narrative that unravels within Columbus, Ohio’s indie music scene, an off-beat and often overlooked music landscape that rightfully deserves its center in the plot. The vibrant, eclectic and enthralling underground music culture serves as a compelling backdrop to the main character's journey of self-discovery and introspection. Its lifeline pulsates through the screenplay and is thoroughly intertwined in every scene, making it practically a character in the film.

In Poser, we meet Lennon Gates, played by Sylvie Mix in an earnest and evocative performance, who has the passionate desire to fit in, in a world that doesn't make it easy. Lennon hosts an amateur podcast in which she interviews more "serious" members of the underground music scene. Through her podcast, aptly named Poser, she curiously dives into the lives of musicians trying to understand their creative processes, their purposes, and the drive that keeps them going.

Lennon is drawn to the allure of belonging to a world that rejects the ordinary, where art takes precedence, and free-spirited creativity thrives. However, her association with the scene is often fraught with self-doubt and the constant worry of being an outsider, a “poser.” She’s stuck between the enviable self-composure of others and her own incessant self-questioning about authenticity, which is a contrast superbly represented on-screen.

Lennon's path crosses with punk rock diva, Bobbi Kitten, played by the actual Columbus punk musician Bobbi Kitten of Damn the Witch Siren. Kitten's character in Poser, exuding an awe-inspiring confidence and unapologetic authenticity, symbolizes everything that Lennon cultivates in her visions and aspires to embody. What follows is an intoxicating, codependent relationship that blossoms between the two women, one that invites Lennon further into a world she's only ever admired from the exterior.

Screenwriters Segev and Dixon’s Poser is an exploration of the dualism between admiration and obsession, authenticity, and posing, through the power dynamics in the friendship between Lennon and Bobbi. It’s a deep dive into the obsession to fit in that can often lead to the loss of the self and the intense allure of a life far more fascinating than theirs, yet barely attainable. At the same time, it’s also an introspective journey of self-acceptance, where the answer is not in conforming to externally imposed identities but rather to create and embrace one's own.

The soundtrack of Poser is brimming with pulsating tracks that mirror the emotions of Lennon and forms the vibrant music ensemble of the movie. Featuring music from over twenty Columbus bands, it marks a significant place for the local music scene on the global stage.

Cinematographically, the movie is a visual treat. The Columbus nightlife sets the tone for most of the story's events as the camera moves along a palette of dimly lit bars, indie clubs, and intimate house concert venues, offering a raw, realistic representation of the city's indie music scene. The filmmakers ensures that the city and its music scene remain a vivid, compelling entity throughout the film, adding depth, tension and mystique.

The pacing of the film is steady and consistent, giving its viewers the time to immerse themselves in Lennon’s complex and emotionally rich world. Sly editing techniques and visual cues are cleverly implemented to offer a subjective view of Lennon's reality, giving the audience a keen insight into her mired perspective.

In conclusion, Poser is a captivating film that intricately explores themes of identity, obsession, and authenticity against the pulsating, vibrant backdrop of Columbus, Ohio's indie music scene. Its compelling characters, engrossing music, and fascinating narrative make it a must-watch, especially for those who enjoy thought-provoking cinema that examines the human quest for authenticity and belonging.