Artful, drily witty and a tiny bit mad, Lucifer packs some stunning imagery and big ideas into its self-imposed restrictive frame.

Filmed in “Tondoscope”, Lucifer’s striking circular frame plays host to some gorgeous soft-focus images which lend everything a strange, dream-like aura. Larger themes of Good, Evil, faith and the afterlife are cheekily juxtaposed with the daily trivialities of its quirky characters, all set in a Mexican Village as imagined by Wes Anderson.

The second act (“Sin”) sags somewhat, and here Lucifer‘s limited frame may struggle to hold the attention of some viewers – however this is bold, visionary stuff.

Strange and intoxicating, those patient with Lucifer’s offbeat approach will be rewarded as paradise is re-imagined in circular form.

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Gabino Rodríguez, Norma Pablo, María Toral Acosta

DIRECTOR: Gust Van Den Berghe

WRITER: Gust Van Den Berghe

SYNOPSIS: Deadpan dramedy; on his descent from Heaven to Hell, Lucifer passes through an earthly paradise – a village in Mexico – causing havoc in its people’s lives.

Lucifer was screened as part of the Dare Gala at the 2015 London Film Festival.