In a few weeks, after incredible critical acclaim in Europe, Albert Serra’s “Pacifiction” will finally be released in the US. This is the film that really caused a stir at Cannes last year — it shook up the competition and showed the other films how it’s done.
Will the masses love “Pacification”? Of course not. It’s a slow-as-molasses 165-minute statement from Serra who's not in uncharted territory here. After all, this is the director behind “The Death of Louis XI,” and “Liberté,” two impenetrable, but painterly statements. “Pacifiction” is the first of his films that fully worked for me, from beginning to end.
There were tons of walkouts at the Lumiere screening of “Pacifiction” at Cannes. It’s just that kind of film, either you go along with its peculiar vibes or you don’t. That’s Serra for you. Mind you, there are some truly surreal, Lynchian moments in this film, especially in the last quarter, which reminded me of an extended version of the club scene in Lynch’s own “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.” Hypnotic stuff.
And so, with the the critical backing of practically every heavy duty European film publication behind him, including Cahiers du Cinema, Serra’s next film is eagerly anticipated. We might not have to wait much longer either.
The portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual is listing the funding of a new Serra film called "A Valquíria" (The Valkyrie). It’s possibly the female lead project he’s been talking about for a few months now.
In the September issue of Fotogramas, Serra admitted that Kristen Stewart is the actress he most wants to work with. Not just that, he says that “it’s a possibility that is being studied.” Maybe she’s going be ‘Valkyrie’. Who knows.