After the excellent "Hobo" in Connections and the interesting and effective "The return of Elena" in 17 to midnight, Italian director Daniele Misischia continues his excursion into the world of independent cinema by focusing on a challenging new project that this time has its roots in Ergo Proxy, the 2006 Japanese anime TV series consisting of as many as 23 episodes.
This is a dark sci-fi series that Misischia has ably summarized in his gritty fan movie lasting only 13 minutes, making a few changes to the story but preserving the original title and the characterization of the characters who here, however, unlike the Japanese series, are played by live actors.
From the very first shots, the story of Ergo Proxy: Awareness is cast in a post-apocalyptic future, specifically in the suburbs of the city of Rom-Do, where chaos has been eradicated and feelings have no reason to exist. Preserving control of this perfect society governed by the strictest laws is Re-L Mayer, the special agent in charge of capturing a nonhuman creature called a "proxy" and Moscow immigrant Vincent Law (accused of committing crimes) by order of Department of Security director Raul Creed.
The entire story unfolds alternating between Vincent's pursuit and Raul Creed's interrogation of the agent to get as much information as possible about the proxy, until a clear and comprehensive conclusion is reached that sheds light on each character.
Daniele Misischia writes and directs this interesting homage to Ergo Proxy, for which he also edits, and brings to the stage a faithful transposition of the heroine Re-L thanks to the performance of the lead actress. A well-crafted work that deserves attention given the complexity of the anime, summarized well here.
There is no shortage of shootouts and chases, features dear to Misischia, along with the presence in the cast of Rimi Beqiri (Hobo, The return of Elena) as Raul Creed.
Re-L Mayer, the female lead in Ergo Proxy: Awareness, is played by Michela Cucchiella (who did the make-up and also the costume for Re-L), while Alberto Daniele Troiano is the male lead Vincent Law/Proxy.
The visual effects by Massimo Ghidini and make-up by Daniela Buturuga do not go unnoticed.
The music that envelops the entire short and accompanies the film's tense moments well is taken from the original score of Aeon Flux (2005).
EDIT: as of today, April 8. Ergo Proxy: Awareness is officially online on youtube, in Italian version and with English subtitles.
