So many apocalyptic films, so little time. Glasshouse is a different breed to all those that have come before it. Fantasia Fest 2021 screened the enigmatic sci-fi thriller in its 25th annual showcase. A directorial debut from Kelsey Egan, this is a film about a toxin that makes you forget. What is outside of the Glasshouse bears no relevance to the entire world that lives inside it. A family, steeped with traditions that enable them to keep their memories alive.
It’s hard to describe a film like “Glasshouse” for fear of not doing it justice. It’s romantic in a way that causes your mind to drift to any number of lovely sunny early Victorian historical events. Ladies sang as they worked, wore bonnets in the garden, and waited for a handsome man to ride in on horseback. As though plucked from a dreamy fairytale, sisters Evie and Bee tend to the crop of fruit and vegetables. Their brother Gabe, notably affected by what is referred to as ‘the shred’ never remembers to wear his mask outside.
Daisy, Bee, and Evie
The family’s younger sister Daisy, so accustomed to her life in captivity is excited about any new thing that happens within the airtight circumference of their cage-like home. Despite a reliance on their collective memory, they each know they must protect their safe place from anyone who tries to get in. They take turns on the boundary of the property that forms part of the sentry to keep the bad men out. Daisy relishes cutting open the men they kill.
“if the bad men outside are just like animals, why don’t we eat them?”
Quote from Glasshouse, Daisy played by Kitty Harris
Glasshouse is a beautifully cruel story about the history of our lives. Do we live to forget or live to remember? If the stories within our making are painful and insidious is it just better to just make it so it never happened at all? Each of the characters within this stunning piece of cinema gives a view from one side to the other. Gabe was exposed to the toxin in early childhood and stays in the form of blissful ignorance. Mother is the keeper of all that they need to remember. It’s through her that life skills are learned and what came before gives them a reason to continue. Bee’s pain forces her to demolish her mind, purposefully breathing in the air and forcing the darkness out. In stark contrast, Evie finds strength in her times of angst and is forever finding ways to ensure she can remember.
How Strong is the Glasshouse
The shocking and tragic showdown seeps in through a stranger, injured and rescued by Bee. Once inside the glass menagerie, they keep him chained while he recovers. Through his presence, we get to find out what the world looks like further afield. So entangled in the surprise finale is his story, Mother of Movies will not spoil the way he beguiles everyone in his midst.
The cinematography is excruciatingly captivating. Sometimes I found myself unknowingly holding my breath. The juxtaposition between what seems to be under strict control and what is easily broken is so convincingly encapsulated, that if you’ve never felt claustrophobia, Glasshouse could be the film to show you what that feels like.
And don’t even get me started on performances, everyone is perfectly in tune with what they are meant to resemble. Like a small garden In the middle of a desolate world. Glasshouse is no boring fairytale drama. It’s a cruel contortion of love, sex, and power that will bring you to a complete halt.
Glasshouse is rated
5 pollinating Bee’sout of 5
“Hold your breath
The Shred follows all
Minds erode like rust
Marrow sucked from bone
Drift apart like dust
Wear away like stone”
Song lyrics from the film, Glasshouse
Glasshouse full movie trailer and where to watch
If you’re looking to watch the full Glasshouse movie, check your favorite where-to-watch site. Mother of Movies likes ReelGood.com.
- Directed and written by Kelsey Egan
- Co-written by Emma Lungiswa De Wet
- Glasshouse was acquired as a screener for review purposes and is the first ‘5 out of 5 films‘ from Mother of Movies for 2021.