HAZE (2005)
Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto
Starring: Shinya Tsukamoto, Kaori Fujii
Genre: Horror
Running Time: 49mins

Rating:

Awakening with a deep wound to his stomach and left to rot in a dark concrete maze, our unnamed protagonist (played by Tsukamoto) is forced to explore his increasingly cramped surroundings as each path that promises salvation reveals only a further descent into a hell of physical and mental torture. Who is responsible for leaving him in this nightmarish world, and will he find a way out before it's too late?

Haze marks director, Tsukamoto's first foray into DV filmmaking. Clocking in at a lean 49minutes, this mini-feature uses the DV medium perfectly for an experimental piece that is as much about atmosphere and mood as it is unwravelling its nightmarish plot.Confined within a concrete maze Tsukamoto's film spends much of its time in absolute darkness, forcing us into the world of its protagonist as he navigates from one hell to another. It's a genius concept that strays from any initial calls linking it to similar US indie hit "Cube".

Haze is also reflective of the progression in Tsukamoto's films to delve far deeper than just the body and mechanics of its location and characters to examine strong emotional, true human feelings. While the initial interest may be purely on a visceral or aesthetic level, Haze reveals itself to have an emotional core that resonates long after the film has ended. Relaying the same closing of hope and love through sacrifice as seen in Bullet Ballet, it makes for a far more rounded experience giving the surface level enjoyment a much needed sense of context and texture.

Yet Haze is not without its flaws. As the film commences the obscure visuals and heavy breathing and gasps hinder the "thrown in at the deep end" style of its opening taking too long to really get going, while a protracted baseball attack fails to provide the necessary chills of "hell" while also lasting to an almost poradic length of time.

However, regardless of these two mis-steps, Haze also manages to effectively strike chords of fear and claustrophobia into its viewers with a number of key set pieces. From the small details as Tsukamoto's hands and feet scrape away at the rough concrete walls and floors to the truly horrific teeth grinding journey through a seriously restricted corridor space and a hideous bath of blood and body parts (in a scene that challenges the refrigerator wake-up from 2006's remake of The Hills Have Eyes), these scenes are truly terrifying and abrasive, showing a fearlessness in the director to go that extra step. This is not a comfortable film to visit.

Haze is a fascinating experience. Considering films of this premise usually make or break according to the weight of expectation on their ending, I was left more than satisfied by its conclusion. Playing like the nightmare Tsukamoto's character has to endure before he can make a fresh start of his mundane existance the heart at the core of Haze gave it a much needed drive and genuinely uplifting tone amongst the visceral carnage on display.

Yes there are a few small pacing issues along the way, however, they don't detract from a film that for the most part moves briskly and doesnt outstay its welcome.

Highly recommended.

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