SLEEPER'S WAKE

DIFF film offers a powerful, thought provoking challenge (Review by John Harley)

Appearing on the Durban International Film Festival, Sleeper's Wake offers a powerful, thought provoking challenge to the viewer. It is the debut feature from South African television director Barry Berk. Based on the novel by Alistair Morgan, the film is described as a “riveting slice of psychological film noir”. It is directed by Barry Berk who also wrote the screenplay with Willie Nel as cinematographer. The cast includes Lionel Newton, Jay Anstey and Deon Lotz.

Shot on location in Port Edward and Johannesburg, mention is also made of this film as a “sexual thriller”, which follows a man named John who has recently lost his family in a car accident after falling asleep at the wheel. A further comment made in a press release refers to John's journey of self-discovery.

All in all, I found that the film made a powerful visual statement indeed, which was strongly supported by a very intense, dynamic and mood-provoking sound track. Daniel Caleb must be highly commended for this. At times it almost felt as if the entire momentum of the movie was being driven by the haunting sound effects and music.

The overall visual impact of the movie was also constantly contrasted by stunning views of the natural environment, juxtaposed by intense, highly dramatic action sequences - combining to create most absorbing viewing! The performances throughout were compelling and utterly convincing.

Placing this film within a specific genre was very difficult, however. As much as I felt the immense visual and emotional impact, I just could not seem to identify the overall motive behind the movie - somehow the intellectual focus of the film escaped me, ie the true motive behind the story line.


For example, John's “journey of self-discovery” had me baffled! What, indeed, did he discover about himself? And how does that reflect on the unbearable grief of a man who has just lost his whole family because he fell asleep behind the wheel? Perhaps this is precisely what the director wants to leave his viewer with, to reflect on?

Nothing takes away from the fact that this is a carefully crafted and very creative bit of film-making, loaded with moments of high drama and intensity that will keep you rooted to your seat. It comes highly recommended - perhaps the answers to some of my questions lie precisely in the diversity of the universal impact of the movie. You be the judge. – John Harley