Written by: Michael Den Boer on August 25th, 2009
Release Date: USA, 2009
Director: Ramzi Abed
Writer: Ramzi Abed
Cast: Julie Fine, Ofri Fuchs, Adam Meir, Lizzy Strain, Mae Moreno, Casey Wickson, Bianca Barnett, Jed Rowen, Don Purnell, Eric Fleming, Ken Cravens, Gidget Gein, Messy Stench, Elissa Dowling, Lyla Sullivan, Josh Eisenstadt, Kevin Sean Michaels, Khris Kaneff, Eric Spudic, Amy Brassette, Whitney Carr, Ramzi Abed, Paul Bunnell, Nate Kampf, Icky the Cat, Rinat Curious, Katarina Schmoranzer, Spider Lily
DVD released: September 29th, 2009
Approximate running time: 94 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Halo Eight
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95
In a Spiral State is the latest film from writer / director Ramzi Abed (The Devil’s Muse). In a Spiral State is a complex tale about isolation and how one’s life can spin out of control because of their decadent lifestyles. The plot feels more like a series of related events than your typical linear style of storytelling present in most films. The puzzle like plot mostly revolves around a character named Maya an aspiring actress who has yet to find her big break. The main sub plot is delves into the world of organ harvesting and how a mysterious man named Nikolas hires young woman to help him procure “The Things he needs”, to bring his dead friend back.
At first some may find the plot hard to get a handle on, but as the film progresses and the film’s finale gives a clearer picture of the events that have just unfolded. Also, In a Spiral State is a film that really needs multiple viewings to fully absorb everything that is going on. Visually the film experimental style of unconventional compositions /camera movements and editing lends itself perfectly to the content at hand. Performance wise all of the cast are convincing in their respective roles especially the three females leads Julie Fine, Lizzy Strain and Bianca Barnett.