Planetarium (2016)

Planetarium Poster

In 1930s France, two sisters who are thought to be able to communicate with ghosts meet a visionary producer while performing in Paris.

Film Overview
"Planetarium" is a 2016 French-Belgian drama film directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. Launched on 10 November 2016, it stars Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp in the functions of the Barlow sisters. The movie's fascinating narrative links components of dream, historic events, and drama, covering audiences in a mentally charged, beautifully executed picture of pre-war France.

Plot Synopsis
Set in Paris during the late 1930s, "Planetarium" informs the story of 2 American sisters believed to interact with the dead. Laura Barlow (Portman) and Kate Barlow (Depp) navigate their non-traditional lives performing seances throughout Europe, bewitching audiences with their relatively supernatural capabilities. The sis's heavenly world is interrupted when they satisfy an effective French movie manufacturer, Andre Korben. Korben, interested by the Barlow sisters' mystifying act, uses the set a contract to perform privately-conducted seances.

The plot deepens as Korben's intentions are revealed. He is not so much interested in the spectacle of the seances however in utilizing the sis to press ballistics movie theater technology, using Laura and Kate as a provocative research tool. However, perils of impending war and the suspense of the supernatural lives link, causing an unexpected climactic end.

Characters and Performance
Natalie Portman's portrayal of Laura, the older protective sister, is fascinating. Portman imparts in her character a glamorous mystique, tempered by a raw determination to safeguard her susceptible younger sis. Lily-Rose Depp, cast as Kate, imbues her character with a mix of innocence and user-friendly strength. Depp's character is believed to really have contact with the spiritual world, and her performance brings a delicate balance of genuineness and doubt. Emmanuel Salinger as Korben delivers a strong efficiency, showing obsession touched with vulnerability.

Styles
"Planetarium" explores various styles such as the stress in between science and the supernatural, power characteristics, and the concept of impression versus reality. The director uses the character Korben's fascination with spiritualism as a metaphor for his aspiration to push the boundaries of cinema.

Production Design and Cinematic Style
The movie's production design magnificently records the glamour and decadence of pre-war Paris. The cinematography renders this duration aesthetically sensational, boosting the story's spooky and mystical aspects. Zlotowski likewise utilizes symbolic images, like the planetarium and movie studio, to discuss impressions and reality, adding another layer to its interesting narrative.

Last Thoughts
"Planetarium" works as a visual banquet, blending historic context with supernaturality, rarely seen in dramas. It might not be standard in the unravelling of its story, yet is a reflective piece intertwining secrets with scientific endeavours. The performances from Portman and Depp bare an intrinsic depth in their given portrayals of the Barlow siblings. Their relationship and their situations provide significant fodder for discussion on social standards, the development of cinema, and the capability to separate in between impression and reality. Though some audiences may discover the plot disjointed, the movie offers a distinct viewing experience which leaves viewers in an extended consideration.

Top Cast

  • Natalie Portman (small)
    Natalie Portman
    Laura Barlow
  • Lily-Rose Depp (small)
    Lily-Rose Depp
    Kate Barlow
  • Emmanuel Salinger
    André Korben
  • Amira Casar (small)
    Amira Casar
    Eva Said
  • Pierre Salvadori (small)
    Pierre Salvadori
    André Servier
  • Louis Garrel (small)
    Louis Garrel
    Fernand Prouvé
  • David Bennent (small)
    David Bennent
    Juncker
  • Damien Chapelle (small)
    Damien Chapelle
    Louis
  • Jerzy Rogulski (small)
    Jerzy Rogulski
    Professor Ulé
  • Anaïs Couette (small)
    Anaïs Couette
    Traductrice cabaret
  • Benoît Forgeard (small)
    Benoît Forgeard
    Médecin