REVIEW: B+
“A uniquely remarkable modern day spy-style escape by a mermaid from her captors”
The Water Phoenix chronicles the freedom of Anya, a rare and probably ancient type of mermaid who is captured by an Institute of Marine Biologists. Washed up against the tide, weak and exhausted, Anya is taken to an aquarium as an exhibit to amuse.
We don’t know how long she (The Water Phoenix) has been a captive, but she had during that time bonded with her caretaker, who has fallen in love with her. He is rather divided between his love for Anya and his duty to keep her at the aquarium. It therefore seems Anya has been a captive for a considerable time, enough to bond with Jack (Joseph Dixon).
The Water Phoenix – A Love Story Between a Captive Mermaid & Her Caregiver
Anya is missing home, and her out of luck bond with Jack has released her from trying to stay, so her heart is free to leave the aquarium. She pushes her limits during her a routine laboratory test and wrestles free from her captors. And guess what she speak English and can fire a tranquilizer gun too. Plus she has got quite a remarkable amount of magic at her disposal.
The Water Phoenix Official Trailer from Bola Ogun on Vimeo.
The Water Phoenix is directed by Bola Ogun, who also is the main cast, that played the mermaid that escaped her captors. We loved The Water Phoenix, and thought there is a feature film in there somewhere, maybe in the future.
The filmmaking team was small group of professionals, and I think their collaboration created a very good movie, that I had to see 5 times before writing this review. Top notch production design, editing, cinematography and I love the audio too (Bola’s voice was romantic, and compelling). It did feel like a silent movie, an that made it even work for me.
The end sequence did feel like she had renewed life, and though she had been reborn from the captive experience, and her world renewed her into a new life. Then Anya does the Cowboy thing and swms off into the distance with a wide smile on her face.
All great choices in every department of the filmmaking! Kudos!
