Eugene Kotlyarenko’s “Vintage Violence” is a movie that speaks directly to America’s phone-obsessed culture.
But “Vintage Violence” feels so modern thanks to its kaleidoscopic visuals. The screen is sometimes bifurcated between Carter’s livestream, which itself gets clogged with fan comments and emojis, and people watching it in Japan. The camera moves constantly and visual information — lights, split screens, colors, sounds, movement — floods the viewer. It feels like a film working to speak to an audience that grew up with second-screen culture, used to scanning their phones as they’re watching a film or show.
Kotlyarenko, whose previous film was the similarly internet-minded 2020 thriller “Spree,” says the online style was essential for the story he wanted to tell.
Even though Kotlyarenko’s technique is extremely modern, he is comforted by knowing that some of cinema’s greats are also into pushing visual and tech boundaries.
Another important visual element came from nodding to Japanese film culture, as so much of the movie was shot there with a local crew. Kotlyarenko, along with his DP Sean Price Williams, was able to experiment in the footsteps of Japanese cinema legends.
Ultimately, despite its modern feel, Kotlyarenko says “Vintage Violence” speaks to a core idea of cinema.
