She Is Conann is the latest film from visionary director Bertrand Mandico. The epic tale of Conann is told through fragmented memories and dreamy visuals. Bertrand is known for these visuals throughout their work. In She Is Conann, they are more pronounced as the story unfolds through different times and perspectives. Check out the synopsis of the film below:

Traveling through the abyss, underworld dog Rainer recounts the six lives of Conann, perpetually put to
death by her own future, across eras, myths and ages. From her childhood, a slave of Sanja and her
barbarian horde, to her accession to the summits of cruelty at the doors of our world.

I was able to watch the film at Fantastic Fest last year and was completely blown away by what I experienced. The film was unlike anything I have seen in a long time and really invigorated my love for film more. The 35mm shot film has some of the most beautiful and scenic shots. It plays almost like an opera in its grand scope as the visuals and acting elevate it to epic levels. Our guide for the film is Rainer a hybrid dog human who is played by Elina Löwensohn. Elina has some incredible prosthetics to achieve this look and was one of the most captivating parts of the film. Rainer acts like the guide as we see them photograph and describe everything Conann will experience. Bertrand described how the dog was always the one that guided in the afterlife in mythology during an interview. The performance from Löwensohn is just as incredible as is their transformation. We see the arc the character takes from the opening frame to the final shot of the film. Rainer is truly an iconic character in the story and delivers some amazing monologues.

Conann is played by various actors each showcasing a different state of mind. All of them have crafted their own unique version of this same person. The moments when the current Conann meet the next also set up some incredible imagery as we see the internal battle that commences. Bertrand sets these moments in Conann’s life in different universes giving the film a cosmic sci-fi feel. Each new moment we see a more barbaric Conann up until the final moments of their life. It’s a tragic tale which is told in a truly epic scale that adds more weight to the final moments of the film.

A haunting score is also accompanied to the already vibrant cinematography that gives it a classic and modern look at the same time. The music can be subtle but also overpowering in the best way. Bertrand’s use of music and visuals elevate scenes to biblical levels. Mandico pushes the boundaries of so many subjects in this film and shows how much we need this fearless approach to cinema. The way they are able to make this epic with the use of practical effects is something to marvel at. There’s so much of She Is Conann that feel like it’s in another world and can only be achieved through great set design.

The film has no constraints when it comes to telling its story how it needs to be told. It’s approach to some of life’s most important questions combined with its mythology make it so unique. A very transcendent experience in the cinema and one that pushes what a film can be. She Is Conann shows the lengths of what’s possible in filmmaking when an artist is able to create freely. A triumphant and fearless masterpiece!

We Give She Is Conann 5/5.