No. 28. (2020) THE PLATFORM May 21st.

Film No. 28 (2020)  May 21st.  8:35 PM.  Netfilx, Living Room  Mt. Hawthorn. W.A. 

"There are three types of person. Those at the top, those at the bottom and those that fall". (The richly toned voice, form the first words, in voice-over, of this bleak film).

In the same way Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer (2013) questioned the concept of class, carriage by carriage via a runaway train circling the world, Spanish director David Desola asks similar questions, but this time in the dark, dystopian chambers of a multi level prison. The platform is the slab which moves from level to level, once daily, like a lift. The Slab contains the passport to each inmate's survival; sustenance. Each cell has two occupants, no gender distancing, with personality quirks to make this film bubble. But how many levels are there? What sustenance is left for those at the bottom? What becomes of those at the lower levels? Our focus is with Goreng (Ivan Messague) and Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor); they occupy level 48. Who are they? We get a clue about Goreng, but will it be relevant in the scheme of things? Using a form of trickle down economics (sustenance) as a metaphor for life, this becomes more horror than thriller. This is a grim, powerful and always confronting film. It will not be for everyone. But if you like grim films that take you to the edge, quite literally, The Platform will tickle your fancy. Better still, more likely, prods your solar-plexus, then don't miss this one! 9GUMS.