Underplayed Gems

Southland Tales (2006)

Southland Tales poster
Directed by
Richard Kelly
Genre
drama film, science fiction film, thriller film, comedy drama, post-apocalyptic film, romantic comedy
Country
Germany, France, United States
Runtime
2h 25m
Rated
R
Rating
5.2 of 10 from 614 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
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How it feels

Set in an alternate 2008 Los Angeles, the film follows multiple characters including a movie star, a porn actress, and a police officer as their lives intersect against a backdrop of political corruption, energy crisis, and social collapse. It satirizes American media and military power through a sprawling narrative.

satiricalchaoticcerebralbleakdarkly comicunsettlingdenseambitious

What happens

Southland Tales is a 2006 dystopian black comedy thriller film written and directed by Richard Kelly. It features an ensemble cast that includes Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mandy Moore, and Justin Timberlake. An international co-production of the United States and Germany, the film is set in the then-near future of 2008, and is a portrait of Los Angeles, as well as a satiric commentary on the military–industrial complex and the infotainment industry. The title refers to the Southland, a name used by locals to refer to the Greater Los Angeles area. Original music was provided by Moby. Southland Tales premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, and was released theatrically in the United States on November 14, 2007. The film polarised critics, who responded unfavourably to its running time and sprawling nature in spite of its "intriguing vision", and only made $374,743 during its international theatrical run. It has developed a cult following in subsequent years. Kelly has expressed interest in expanding the film into a franchise. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

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