“The End” – A Sneak Peek into Joshua Oppenheimer’s Post-Apocalyptic Musical

Key Takeaways:

• Joshua Oppenheimer, the director of renowned documentaries ‘The Act of Killing' and ‘The Look of Silence', marks his narrative feature debut with NEON in “The End”.

• The film, a golden-age musical, portrays a wealthy family's survival in a lavish bunker, two decades post the world's end.

• “The End” features a prominent cast, including Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, George MacKay, and Moses Ingram, among others.

• The musical features dark humor and themes of guilt, denial, and unfulfilled longing.

• After three years of development, the movie is now making its rounds at various film festivals, including the Telluride and the Toronto International Film Festival.

A Little Insight into “The End”

Are you a fan of post-apocalyptic stories? Then you're in for a treat! Renowned for his documentaries, Joshua Oppenheimer, partners with NEON for his first narrative film – a golden-age musical titled “The End”.

Featuring a high-profile cast, Oppenheimer explores themes of guilt, denial, the performance of impunity paralleled with golden age Broadway-inspired music. Let's jump into the whys and whats of this unique narrative!

The Setting and the Story

Imagine a world that has ended two decades ago. Amidst the chaos, a rich family survives in a posh bunker, which was originally a salt mine. They believe they are the last humans, the modern version of Noah's Ark. But the catch is, the flood they're escaping isn't subsiding anytime soon. The story unfolds in this dramatic setting, taking the viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

The family includes a mother, a father who was an oil tycoon, and a 20-year-old son born in the bunker and never exposed to the outside world. He shares an honest bond with the maid. Furthermore, there's a doctor and a butler in this familial ensemble. The plot takes an interesting twist when an unexpected stranger, a young woman, forces her way into the bunker, threatening the balance of the family.

The Musical Element

Adding a musical element to this intense post-apocalyptic narrative, the director brilliantly showcases the desperate delusions of the bunker's residents. The music represents their fear to acknowledge their guilt and face the truth of what they did to the world. Lastly, the director ensures the performance embodies the raw emotion of the characters, skipping any theatrical overtones.

Oppenheimer's Inspiration

During an interview with Prospect, Oppenheimer shared that his inspiration for the movie sprang from researching wealthy families and their survival tendencies. He encountered a family buying a doomsday bunker fit more for a palace than a survival structure. This triggered him to base his movie on a similar concept, hence “The End”.

The Mood of “The End”

“The End” is not just about survival or devastation, but it dives deep into harsh themes of guilt, denial, and unfulfilled longing. The director skillfully weaves these elements into the storyline with a dash of dark humor and a fragile glimmer of hope when the son and the young woman strike a chord.

Get Ready for “The End”

After three years of incubation, “The End” is not far away from its viewers. With a teaser poster out, the movie is set to make its rounds at prominent film festivals. So, are you ready to delve into this hauntingly beautiful narrative? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

In conclusion, whether it's the thrilling setting, intense theme, captivating music or the star-studded cast, “The End” spins a compelling tale of post-apocalyptic survival in an entirely unique way. This musical journey promises not just entertainment but a profound exploration of our human nature and the cost of unfettered power.

Watch out for “The End” – it's the beginning of an entirely new cinematic experience!