OtherLife (2017)

I can clearly remember seeing Australian director Ben C. Lucas' first feature film; 'Wasted on the Young' almost 6 years ago. Now I got the very lucky chance of seeing his latest film at MIFF this year entitled; 'OtherLife', and Australian Sci-Fi thriller that can be described as 'Strange Days' meets 'Total Recall'. I was also unaware it was adapted from a book called 'Solitaire' by Kelley Eskridge and had for a long time been developed adaptation from 'Highlander' and 'The Prophecy' creator Gregory Widen. As for the film itself, it's a terrifically unique locally produced sci-fi film, which makes the most of it's limitations on an independent budget, even with some high concept thought brought towards a thought provoking plots with many unexpected twists and turns, enough to respect it's own targeted audience too. Ben C. Lucas also utilizes his stylistic visuals to the film's slick futuristic look and feel, along with sharp editing able to cut between the reality presented and the manufactured visions, key to the film's subject matter. Overall, this film exceeded my expectations, I was incredibly invested in these great characters from charismatic performers, being smartly written and crafted to a point I decided this is my favourite film of the festival this year.