Elephant (2003)

“Just don’t go in there”

For my 100th review on FilmClub, there is no film that could bring me more joy and happiness to be my centenary review than Elephant. A film that encompasses every last mussel of the reasons I’m obsessed with cinema and what makes the Palme D’Or the most prestigious award on the planet. Gus Van Sant’s Elephant is haunting, shocking and is a demanding watch that engrave itself on your very psyche and leaves a scar in your memory so you can never forget it.

Controversy is second nature to Van Sant, think Drugstore Cowboy and To Die For; but you would think that creating a film based on a subject matter that strikes such a deep chord in the American people, ignites heated discussion and forces a few unfortunate individuals to experience their most harrowing nightmares, would be a step to far for one of America’s most debated artists. But no, Van Sant strides into the sea of controversy without a second thought and in turn constructs a titanic cinematic achievement that no matter how many years past, will never sink out of view.

A gentle breeze causes leaves to skitter ever so lightly across the ground, such perfect weather people are unlimited in what they want to wear. A clearly artistically talented Eli takes a picture of a loved up punk-rock couple and then returns to the schools dark room to develop the picture. Brittany, Jordan and Nicole indulge in discussions over boys, shopping and their various daily frustrations, before casually and simultaneously after lunch departing to the toilets and proceeding to forcibly making themselves sick. Michelle is your usual introverted wallflower floating on the periphery of the social orbit. While John casually ambles around school without any real rush or cause of concern until…

Intertwining among miles of shinny floors, interlocking corridors, maraud of different rooms. Orbiting around cacophony of laughter and chatter, teen angst and hormones; Watt High School seems just like your conventional suburban high school on a typical autumn day. Yet that’s exactly what makes things so eerie and terrifying, the normality of the whole place; it gives you the irking feeling that merely change the name of the school and conceivably it could be your high school. But we’re right to be weary, maybe even fearful because just like the real events at Columbine High School in 1999 that the film is based on, things in Watt High School soon take on a very a horrific, unforgettable turn for the worse.

Elephant was one of those few films that gave you a truly out of the body experience, in the space of 78 minutes you lost all perception of time, grip of reality and notion of self; instead you’re a lump of clay Van Sant has in the palm of his hand, to mould and manipulate with his masterful storytelling. Its true Elephant was meant to be shocking, the simple fact that the mundane opening so easily lulled you into a sense of complacency and calm; only to flip the script and blow you away with an explosive final third act, which you lay witness to with visceral, gory realism epitomised this. But at the same time, Elephant isn’t a snuff film with the sole purpose to get a reaction; I feel Elephant it more than that and Van Sant is a far more intelligent and subtle filmmaker also.

Instead Elephant is latent with blunt social commentary, important concerns around violent video games and brave ideas. While you’re expertly guided through all this by remarkable performances by a largely surprisingly inexperienced cast; we explore bullying, disenfranchising, eating disorders and most blatantly gun control. The scene in which Alex and Eric are so simply able to order a gun from the internet and then have it delivered to their front doors with such ease, is both alarming and disappointing.

There is no doubt in my mind why at Cannes Elephant won the best film and Van Sant won best director, it’s because his film explodes a powerful blow to your gut with an understated swing of his arm. While Elephant works on so many levels, almost to the extent that it operates as two separate films simultaneously. On one level the shock factor rocks you to your bare bones, while on another deeper, more complex level like a psychedelic substance, it stimulates your mind and causes you to think in new ways you never thought possible. Elephant is the very apex of art house cinema and demands your time and attention.