Thursday, July 16, 2020

[REVIEW] ‘RELIC’ TRAPS VIEWERS IN A DARK MAZE OF A FAMILY’S DEEPEST FEARS


Natalie Erica James’ first feature film is a slow-burn, emotional drama about the horrors of ageing parents and hidden family histories.

RELIC (2020)



Starring: Bella Heathcote, Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin
Writers: Natalie Erika James, Christian White
Director: Natalie Erika James

A JOURNEY INTO THE DARK

Australian writer/director Natalie Erika James’ first feature film, Relic (2020), traps viewers in the terrifying, dark maze. Her inspiration began while she was visiting family in Japan. There she saw a sign outside a temple promising “the key to paradise” could be found inside. Following the signs led her to a basement labyrinth where she quickly got lost in the dark. After groping her way to freedom, James noted that the experience had changed her being, “Everything seemed brighter, sharper. I felt buoyed by my small, private achievement for the rest of the day.” (MovieMaker Magazine)