The Quarry (1998)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Marion Hänsel

Writers:

Damon Galgut (novel)
Marion Hänsel (writer)

Release Date:

14 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This thriller investigates the mysterious assassination of a gay pastor in rural South Africa. Without witnesses or explanations...

Plot Keywords:

Marijuana | Gay Interest | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

John Lynch	...	The Man
Oscar Petersen	...	Valentine April
Sylvia Esau	...	The Woman
Jody Abrahams	...	Small
Serge-Henri Valcke	...	Rev. Frans Niemand
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Samuel Bois	...	Jonas
Robert McCarthy	...	The Lawyer
Denzel Phillips	...	Policeman in Police Station
Jonathan Phillips	...	Capt. Mong (as Jonny Phillips)
Anton Stoltz	...	Owner of the Coffee Shop
Morne Visser	...	Policeman 1

Also Known As:

A Cielo abierto (Spain)
La faille (France)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

Spain | France | Belgium | Netherlands

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company:

Man's Films

Quiet And Enigmatic

In this very low-key film set in the rugged back country of South Africa, a desperate and reticent fugitive takes on a false identity to escape his past. The plot is slow and methodical. Dialogue is minimal. The eerie musical score is used sparingly. Sporadic conversations and the sounds of nature heighten the realism, and allow the viewer to participate in each moment of the film, as it is occurring, without thought of what may happen next.

"The Quarry" is a strange and enigmatic film. There's a curious lack of exposition, or background information. So much of the story is left out. But that intensifies the mystery. Things just happen. We're left to wonder what brought all of this on. And the film's final scene is so unfathomable as to imply a deeply embedded subtext.

I am inclined toward a metaphysical interpretation. No matter how hard we may try to hide from our past transgressions, our own karma will exact, in one way or another, a penalty in proportion to those transgressions.

This film will appeal to viewers who like plots, especially character studies, expressed in a manner that is simple and technically well done, but without the overlay of distracting cinematic gimmicks. It will also appeal to viewers who value film as philosophic or artistic expression.