Nearly 15 years later, Vita (Odessa Young), recounts making her first feature — a semi-autobiographical film about a young woman who gets pregnant and decides to leave home. Being an enthusiastic but inexperienced filmmaker the shoot is chaotic, and her ego-tripping methods destroy the production. As her “first film” falls apart, director Zia Anger stages a lyrical auto-critique that probes the nature of artistic truth and personal mythmaking.
REVIEW:
Zia Anger’s “My First Film” is a daring and introspective journey into the heart of artistic creation and failure. This hybrid documentary-narrative feature is a testament to Anger’s willingness to lay bare her vulnerabilities and confront the chaos that often accompanies the creative process.
The film is a meta-fictional retelling of Anger’s own experiences making her first movie, “Always All Ways, Anne Marie,” which was never completed. Through a blend of personal footage, re-enactments, and interactive elements, Anger crafts a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Odessa Young, playing a version of Anger named Vita, delivers a raw and turbulent performance that captures the emotional turmoil of a young artist grappling with her ambitions and insecurities..
Anger’s direction is unflinchingly honest, capturing the messiness of artistic creation with a keen eye for detail. The film’s structure, which oscillates between past and present, reality and fiction, mirrors the fragmented nature of memory and the elusive pursuit of artistic perfection. This approach, while innovative, may challenge viewers who prefer a more linear narrative..
One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to engage the audience on an emotional level. Anger’s use of interactive elements, such as on-screen text and personal anecdotes, creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The film’s exploration of themes like failure, self-doubt, and resilience is handled with sensitivity and depth, making it a poignant reflection on the struggles faced by artists and creators.
However, “My First Film” is not without its flaws. The non-linear structure and experimental style may alienate some viewers, and the film’s introspective nature can occasionally feel self-indulgent. Yet, these shortcomings are overshadowed by the film’s raw honesty and emotional impact.
In essence, “My First Film” is a bold and audacious work that challenges conventional storytelling and offers a unique glimpse into the mind of an artist. It is a film that resonates with anyone who has ever faced the daunting task of creating something meaningful. Zia Anger’s willingness to confront her own failures and share her journey with such candor is both inspiring and deeply moving.
“My First Film”. gets a 3.5/5 or a B+. It’s streaming on Mubi.
CREDITS:
Directed by
Zia Anger
Written by
- Zia Anger
- Billy Feldman
Produced by
- Taylor Shung
- Riel Roch-Decter
Starring
- Odessa Young
- Devon Ross
- Cole Doman
- Jane Wickline
- Seth Steinberg
- Sage Ftacek
- Abram Kurtz
- Jackson Anthony
- Philip Ettinger
- Sarah Michelson
- Ruby Max Fury
Cinematography
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
- Memory
- Mubi
Distributed by
Mubi
Release dates
- March 19, 2024(CPH:DOX)
- August 30, 2024(United States)
Running time
100 minutes[1]
Country
United States
Language
English
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