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Berlin, Bonanza
© Renaud Monfourny
Berlin, Bonanza, 2009. Photo Franck Alix,
©Printemps de Septembre—à Toulouse
Design: Berlin
Photography: Bart Baele, Nico Leunen
Design: Koen De Ceuleneer
In the heyday of the gold rush, Bonanza, a mining town nestled in the heart of the Rockies, had a population of up to 40,000. Today, with just seven residents and a city council, it is officially the smallest town in Colorado. The Antwerp-based collective Berlin went to film the life of this tiny town several times over many months. The result is a remarkable film portrait, halfway between a documentary and a social thriller.
Served by virtuoso editing, the film is projected on five screens, each representing the five houses occupied by the permanent residents: Gail and Ed, respectively a painter and an old car repairman, Richard, a priest, Mary, who earns her living by giving spiritual advice over the phone, Darva and Shikiah, "metaphysical coaches" and Mark, a fireman specialising in forest fires.
The set design in which the film is presented gives the whole thing a deceptively bucolic, even naïve air. A giant model of the town tops the projection screens and comes to life according to the scenes filmed. In fact, life in this small town, whose inhabitants extol the joys of nature, solitude and isolation, seems idyllic, if vaguely unreal. Gradually, however, tongues are loosened to reveal rumours, grudges and mutual accusations. From then on, the epinal image gives way to a breathtakingly fast-paced plot.
Production Berlin ; Co-production STUK [Leuven], KVS [Brussel], Vooruit [Gent]
With the support of the Fonds Audiovisuel Flamand, du Flanders Image, Anvers.
With the participation of the Théâtre Garonne