Watch Waking Things

During the summer of 2012, the world of science fiction welcomed Waking Things, a Croatian independent film directed by Ivona Juka, and written by Ivona Juka and Lana Barić. Starring Selma Banich, Mislav Cavajda, Stephen Fiehn, and Matthew Goulish, Waking Things follows the story of a woman named Martina who is desperately trying to make sense of her life.

Martina is haunted by her past and struggles with the present, as she tries to balance her relationship with her husband, responsibility as a mother, and a job at a private clinic. After deciding to confront her demons and confront her fears head-on, Martina becomes fixated on the idea of lucid dreaming, hoping that it will help her overcome her struggles.

However, Martina's scientific curiosity leads her to become a test subject in a top-secret project seeking to develop an artificial way of entering into the human dream-state. As the experiment progresses, Martina's line between reality and what she perceives as a dream becomes more and more blurred. With the help of the project's lead researcher, Dr. Sharon, Martina may just find the key to overcoming her struggles.

Waking Things is an intense and thought-provoking film that explores the themes of personal growth, self-awareness, and the impermanence of reality. Ivona Juka paints a vivid landscape of contemporary Croatian society, and provides a glimpse of what life is like for those struggling with personal demons, while also highlighting the harsh realities of living in a post-modern world.

One of the most significant strengths of the movie is its ability to seamlessly blend the line between reality and fantasy. The stark and often dimly lit imagery of dream sequences is something to behold, and the film's narrative becomes even more gripping as the viewer becomes more and more uncertain about what is real and what is not.

The performance of Selma Banich, who portrays the complex character of Martina, is the centrepiece of the film. Banich imbues the character with a realism that is both fascinating and compelling. As the movie progresses, Martina's character becomes more desperate and unhinged, and Banich perfectly portrays the character's struggles with sensitivity and nuance.

The supporting cast also deliver compelling performances. Mislav Cavajda, who plays Martina's husband Jozo, gives his character's frayed nerve endings a level of authenticity that is poignant, particularly in his scenes with Banich. Stephen Fiehn and Matthew Goulish, who portray Dr. Sharon and Dr. Jeffrey respectively, give the movie a much-needed grounding in reality, and provide much of the exposition related to the experimentation.

The film's score, composed by Vjeran Salamon, captures the dreamlike quality of the film perfectly, and is a feast for the ears from start to finish. The lush string arrangements add an additional layer of intensity to the film, particularly in moments when the movie jumps between reality and dream sequences.

Though not without its flaws, Waking Things is a thought-provoking look at the human condition, and is a rare gem in the independent film world. Overall, the film succeeds in its strong portrayal of complex human emotions, and at the same time opens up important discussions about the direction of the scientific world and where the line of ethics is drawn. Waking Things is a must-watch for those who crave a thought-provoking and cinematic challenge.