ASHOK’s FIVE reasons to watch #THEPLATFORM, now streaming on #Netflix. If you are in the frame of mind to watch a dark, grey, ugly film then this is it. By no means is it subtle; the lighting, colour and mood is Camus-esque and can make your insides groan as you remain spell-bound as the horror unfurls. As they say, the Spanish really know their ‘sxxx’. Galder Gaztech-Ursutia’s horror thriller is a mash-up of cannibalism, suicide, blood, guts, faeces and starvation with psychological mind games thrown in for ample measure.
1. The Platform is a commentary on capitalism and is some ways can be clubbed under the vast array of work that is part of the communist propaganda. The plot unravels what happens when the privileged consume more than what they want, and the poor are left to starve to death through a unique device. The premise that is explored is what is the haves were to consumer only what they wanted and would this bring a modicum of equilibrium to society.
2. The Film uses a clever device of a multi-level tower with a movable platform that carries food to the inmates at each level. Needless to say, the platform is adequately stocked up at the top and thins out as it moves downwards. To add to the unpredictability, the inmates are shuffled across the levels periodically. The symbolism and metaphor is so profound it hits you between the eyes. The grotesque and the filth only serve to further add to the impact.
3. Brilliant acting by Ivan Massague who plays Goreng who enters the tower voluntarily and manages to retain his sanity through the various events. He has power to influence the people at other levels, but this power is exercised only downwards.
4. The story line is taut and gripping and keeps moving to the next level with each passing minute and keeps your Adrenalin rush going!
5. The Platform sucks you in and leaves you gasping with no time for empathy or emotion for anyone in the cast. And this itself is incredible as the concept is clearly more significant than the actors.
In the world of today, we could debate endlessly about what will bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots. One theory even says that the rich have to get richer to make the poor richer. That apart, the treatment and the gore are not the faint hearted. Watch this film if you are prepared to shock your senses !
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