The regulations of the Venice Film Festival state that the section Orizzonti is a competition for films “that represent the latest aesthetic and expressive trends in international cinema … as well as works that address specific genres and current production, with the aim of innovating and demonstrating creative originality”. I don’t understand how the film Je m’appelle Hmmm… can somehow fit such regulations. Can non-professional work demonstrate “creative originality”? Perhaps the theme of this film seemed extraordinary and important to somebody. However, despite this being true, no theme or director can ever be enough in itself for presenting a film as something outstanding.
The director of this movie is better known as Agnes B., a French fashion designer. This film is her debut as a cinematic director. It is a story of an 11 year old girl who is being molested by her father and consequently decides to run away from her family. The film consists solely of a beginning without any development, turning points or end. There are not even real characters, real people. Both the decisions undertaken by the characters and their resulting behaviour lack reason or consequence. The acting doesn’t touch you and doesn’t make you sympathize with the characters. The music appears and disappears, only annoying you. Whilst there are some visual experiments; different styles of shootings, black and white/colour changes, subjective camera shots, still shots, and some other effects… the end result looks like the director simply wanted to try everything as if playing with new a “toy”. There is no meaning or concept behind the use of these tools.
I think everyone, if they wish to do so, can make all kinds of experiments. But there is a border between what themes you can experiment with, and what themes need deep investigation and understanding. This movie pretends to speak about serious things-family violence and the psychology of all those who are involved in such a situation: the daughter (victim), the father (offender), the mother and Peter (saviour, friend). But nothing of importance is said about this complex topic. It is only roughly used, without aim or valuable insight. Unfortunately, this is the worst thing about this film. 15/30