Outstanding filming locations present us with a picturesque village and beautiful natural scenery - the perfect setting for a take on a fairy tale. A pervasive emphasis on thematic content emphasizes that slant, with notions conveyed of superstition run amok, the provincialism of convention, the scapegoating of nonconformists, and good intentions ill-considered. What's regrettably noteworthy is that these big ideas carry the feature more than the narrative does. 'The blue light' is enjoyable, but its bare simplicity limits our engagement.
In a runtime of 86 minutes, an entire hour passes by with scarcely more plot development than what the most basic premise portends: "When the moon is full, young men die attempting to reach the blue light in the mountains." Introduce two main characters into that framework (played by director Leni Riefenstahl herself and co-star Mathias Wieman), the realization of the suggested themes - and just like that, the movie has come to a close.
It's worth considering that in that rudimentary construction, 'The blue light' aptly echoes most fairy tales, which at their core stress a scant few particular story beats, generally alongside some moral or otherwise wisdom to impart. Still, while we're passably entertained here, it's hard not to feel bereft to some extent. Everything looks quite pretty, yes, but then what? I can appreciate technical considerations on the face of it, though nearly 90 years removed from the same context and with nothing especially leaping out, one inherently takes such things for granted whether they wish it or not. I think Riefenstahl is a fine actress, as she demonstrated as well in 'The white hell of Pitz Palu,' and I have no particular reason to doubt Wieman either - yet thin narrative also means a dearth of material with which they could exhibit their craft here.
Like the film itself, there's just not much more to say. The end result, in my mind, is a feature that's visually pleasing, but just lacks a great deal of substance. It's unfortunate for many reasons. 'The blue light' is certainly not outright bad, and it's a fair way to pass one's time. I had just hoped for something more completely grabbing and satisfying, and that's distinctly not what I got.
Modestly worthwhile if you come across it, but don't go out of your way.
In a runtime of 86 minutes, an entire hour passes by with scarcely more plot development than what the most basic premise portends: "When the moon is full, young men die attempting to reach the blue light in the mountains." Introduce two main characters into that framework (played by director Leni Riefenstahl herself and co-star Mathias Wieman), the realization of the suggested themes - and just like that, the movie has come to a close.
It's worth considering that in that rudimentary construction, 'The blue light' aptly echoes most fairy tales, which at their core stress a scant few particular story beats, generally alongside some moral or otherwise wisdom to impart. Still, while we're passably entertained here, it's hard not to feel bereft to some extent. Everything looks quite pretty, yes, but then what? I can appreciate technical considerations on the face of it, though nearly 90 years removed from the same context and with nothing especially leaping out, one inherently takes such things for granted whether they wish it or not. I think Riefenstahl is a fine actress, as she demonstrated as well in 'The white hell of Pitz Palu,' and I have no particular reason to doubt Wieman either - yet thin narrative also means a dearth of material with which they could exhibit their craft here.
Like the film itself, there's just not much more to say. The end result, in my mind, is a feature that's visually pleasing, but just lacks a great deal of substance. It's unfortunate for many reasons. 'The blue light' is certainly not outright bad, and it's a fair way to pass one's time. I had just hoped for something more completely grabbing and satisfying, and that's distinctly not what I got.
Modestly worthwhile if you come across it, but don't go out of your way.