Ripple In The Mirror
CAT INDEX
CAT INDEX OVERVIEW
SCREENPLAY
MAKING
ACTING
Directed by Oren Kaya Dayan | Reviewed by Samiksha Periwal
The film ‘Ripple in the Mirror’ is a wild journey through the inner emotions and conflicts of an individual. It is the conceptualization of a continuous conversation between a man and his inner demon. The struggles of being overpowered by your negative emotions and acting in the most whimsical ways has also been shown throughout. The story touches upon the inner feelings of an individual in terms of the different spheres of a person’s life as in children, lover, relatives and so on. This story also makes an effort to emphasize the significance of the "self." As the movie goes on, the plot's complexity and extensibility grow, adding new components for the viewer to discover and consider.
The film’s themes are largely focused on the psyche of an individual and what goes on at the back of your minds, adding no filters or pretense. The content is pretty raw and out there for the audiences to make sense out of it as per their own understanding. The idea behind this is to basically bring man face to face with the realities and thoughts going on in his mind. The need to have a family, love, food, sex and materialistic wishes is what he ultimately comes face to face with. The protagonist’s love for his jewels and the meaning that he attached to them is also one of a kind. He suggests in the film that his favorite jewel is the yellow stone which according to him represents happiness and creativity. The want for happiness in one’s life is something that every one of us somewhere want. However, what gives you that happiness and how long it actually lasts is again very subjective.
The story might get a little too much to take at times because of the complexity and shifting dimensions. It does drag you into a superficial world which detaches you from reality and leaves you thinking about your own insecurities which might not always be a pleasing experience. However, once you have an understanding about the script and the different layers that the story has to offer, it becomes very interesting. The content is unconventional but impactful and makes a lot of sense especially if you’re into figuring out how your mind functions and what your true desires are. More often than not, people find themselves struggling to deal with their inner conflicts and as very appropriately portrayed in the film the character of the inner devil only takes you through a lot of lows and makes you suffer, but then getting out of the negative phase and having your thoughts organized again is what the ultimate goal is.
The graphics and transitions from one phase of the character to another are very explicit and vibrant. Additionally, the music in the background blends well with the mood and style established in each frame. The representation of the inner devil and the man in terms of color and contrast also grab the attention of the viewers and keep them caught up with further developments in the story.
The director of this film is a Los Angeles born and raised filmmaker and actor. He is widely known for his award-winning work ‘Living Lucid Dreams’. He makes an effort to explore different concepts about psychological conflicts and present them as an imaginative conversational experience. Not only is he an amazing director but also an exceptional actor. His performance as a devil in the film stands out and does full justice to the role and the idea behind this character.
As a whole, the film is very intriguing and engaging. It takes you through a whole new journey with your inner self. The idea behind this concept is truly amazing and the audience is definitely going to appreciate the aesthetics of the film. It should be added to your watchlist and you should sit back, uptight and enjoy this rollercoaster ride.
Samiksha Periwal is an 20 year old student from Kolkata, West Bengal. She is an enthusiast, eager to learn and explore. She has done her schooling from Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata and is currently a student of Christ University, Bangalore pursuing a triple major in BA Psychology, Sociology and English. She is a passionate writer and has won many laurels for her school through the years.
