The sophomore feature film of boundary-pushing French filmmaker Bertrand Mandico, After Blue (Dirty Paradise) is a unique movie that delivers more style than substance. Showcasing some incredible DIY set design that completely transports the viewer into another world, After Blue is a visual masterpiece that shows viewers something they genuinely haven't seen before. However, the screenplay feels empty, offering little besides characters wandering around the fantastical landscape and confusing dialogue-heavy set pieces. An art-house space opera that feels like X-rated Dune, After Blue is a feast for the eyes, but its confusing plot and meandering pace can make it a tough two hours and change to sit through.
After Blue (Dirty Paradise) depicts a dystopian society of sorts residing on a planet that is uninhabitable by men. The exclusive society is upended when young Roxy (Paula Luna) accidentally frees the dangerous criminal Kate Bush (Agata Buzek) from captivity, causing Kate to go on the run. Roxy and her mother, Zora (Elina Löwensohn), are ordered to go on an epic journey in search of Kate Bush in order to stop her apparent reign of terror across the planet. Plagued by nightmarish visions, Roxy searches the planet for Kate with her mother, but her true feelings for Kate may be closer to lust than hate.
This acid trip masterfully creates a fully formed world that feels lived in and also manages to contain an impressive aesthetic that is reminiscent of the work of Alexandro Jodorowsky. The sets are extremely artistic, and the ambition of it all truly shows. After Blue plays like a feature-length art installation, and while this is impressive and creates a unique experience, there doesn't seem to be any clear narrative that drives the film.
It is never really clear who the characters are or what their motivations are. The performances are all dreamlike and ethereal, but there is only so much the actors can do when their characters are underdeveloped. As a viewer, it can be easy to spend most of After Blue's runtime getting ready for the plot to present itself and to get invested, but then become disappointed as the credits roll. The planet's scenery, which seems to have been made with mostly practical effects, is extraordinary to look at, but when it's the only thing the movie really has to offer, even this major strong point starts to feel old.
Although the film's storyline is mostly unengaging and hard to follow, there are still aspects to the screenplay that are fairly memorable, usually found within little details. For instance, characters smoke little creatures that resemble cigarettes but squirm around when they are lit. This is such an interesting bit of worldbuilding that it stays with viewers, creating memorable vignettes instead of an overarching narrative.
After Blue is so focused on strange little details within the story that it loses track of the bigger picture. The character of Kate Bush is discussed often in this film, yet the audience never really learns who the villainess is. They hear about her crimes but never actually get to experience Kate in the way the other characters do, leaving the main villain somewhat one-dimensional. Since the world of After Blue has been so well established, a possible sequel could successfully tell a contained story using the set-up work that this movie has done. However, for viewers who don't mind sacrificing a meaningful story just for magnificent set design and worldbuilding, then After Blue (Dirty Paradise) is certainly a must-watch.
After Blue (Dirty Paradise) opens in select theaters on June 3.