2023 FILM MAUDIT 2.0 FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
A magician pulls a rabbit out of his hat–and that rabbit becomes the catalyst for a series of strange events. When a woman follows that rabbit down a hole, her view of the world shifts, chaos ensues, and what was once beautiful is no more. Sacrificial Rabbit is an experimental look at cause and effect, pain and suffering, and the power of the human mind.
From the outside looking in, things don’t always make sense. Bystanders don’t always have the full picture, they don’t always know exactly what is occurring before them, and their opinion on the subject can be skewed by misinformation. Sacrificial Rabbit explores this to a degree, and Writer-Director Qi’an Chen attempts to express the difficulties of being brainwashed by those around us. The way that Chen presents these ideas, however, represents more than what is depicted on screen–but rather the entire scope of being pressured and brainwashed into doing things. I think it takes some digging in order to understand and appreciate the content present throughout the course of Sacrificial Rabbit, but it’s there, available to all who are willing to look for it.
It seems that the story desperately needs support. That’s not because it’s bad, but because it’s difficult to understand on its own. Certain harrowing tones seep through the story–but they need extra help to be fully understood.
The animation is gritty, and it adds to the narrative, creating something disturbing and less than perfect. Much of what Sacrificial Rabbit is attempting to convey is that the world around us can be harrowing, challenging, and that there are obstacles that exist around every turn–and the gritty nature of the animation supports that sentiment. Viewers are constantly reminded of the imperfections in the world–and we are told to rely heavily on ourselves in order to find success. Let’s be clear–the animation didn’t fall short of expectations–the animation present in Sacrificial Rabbit is meticulously planned, and it’s executed exactly the way that Chen would have hoped. It guides the story, invites viewers into the film, and does just about all that it can to support Sacrificial Rabbit as a whole.
Sound, too, plays a pivotal role in viewers’ reception of the film. Much like animation, the sound feels like it’s less than perfect (but, again, I believe that this is intentional). It helps to develop an eerie tone, one that supplements everything else in Sacrificial Rabbit, including the story.
The story is the weakest link, and that’s due to the fact that Chen presents the things occurring throughout in subtle fashion. It seems that she wants every other aspect of the film to support the narrative. The sound, animation, and more help to improve the story throughout Sacrificial Rabbit–and they effectively supplement a narrative that has great meaning. The visuals and the sound are spectacular–and Sacrificial Rabbit shines as a result.
Written & Directed by Qi’an Chen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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