Written and directed by Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon, an actor and a politician start a secret affair and together discover their fetish for having sex in public places. The closer they get to their dream of fame, the more they feel the urge to put themselves at risk. Starring: Gabriel Faryas, Cirillo Luna, Henrique Barreira and Ivo Müller.
Night Stage opens with this deliciously classic infused tone that has a strong hint of Suspiria about it. It perfectly sets the film up for what’s to come because the style from Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon all throughout is very purposefully designed to be reminiscent of the noir thrillers and sensual tomes of classic cinema. Luciana Baseggio’s cinematography is a huge part of that because this aesthetic is so satisfyingly sharp and opulent in its colour. It truly taps into the seductive atmosphere which the filmmakers are going for.
Creating that type of sensual air in this day and age is no easy task, especially with younger audiences calling for less sex scenes but Night Stage is a really good example of how to do it right. The entire film is charged with desire, it holds an enthralling intensity and then brings through big notes of jealousy, envy and a thirst for success. Pairing that with how Matzembacher and Reolon inject theatre and dance into their entire directorial style, it creates such a big presence for the film, one with elegance, confidence and urgency. Especially when you then add on top the delightfully dramatic, booming score from Arthur Decloedt, Thiago Pethit and Charles Tixier. It’s very reminiscent of Hitchcock pictures and adds even more personality.
Undoubtedly part of Night Stage’s impressive presence is the performances from Gabriel Faryas and Cirillo Luna. Faryas in particularly was an excellent piece of casting, the swagger and assuredness he instils in Matias, and the doggedness of how he goes after what he wants makes for captivating viewing. He’s paired so well with Luna who brings the other side of the same coin, it’s a similar height of intensity but done in a very different, more directly aggressive way. Capturing someone who’s caught between their buttoned up public image and the insatiable desires which lies beneath. They make for a terrific duo, and they’re then complemented so well by the vulnerability Henrique Barreira brings to Fabio and the haunting nature that Ivo Müller fills Camilo with.
Admittedly, not everything strikes the right note, there’s a random use of split screen which feels entirely off base. It clashes strongly with the otherwise graceful, composed style that they’ve created, and as it does only occur in one scene, feels like a strange choice. The fetish angle does also perhaps go over the line, yes, it adds more risk, but it eats away at any sympathy viewers will have for the characters. Particularly in the ending which feels overly performative and almost parody like, going over the top and leaving things on a disappointing note, missing the mark on doing justice to the great work that came before it.
Night Stage may not get over the finish line gracefully, but it is otherwise a strongly crafted homage to classic cinema. So much of its style is rooted in that and yet it always feels utterly modern, which is an interesting contrast and something that’s created meticulously. Gabriel Faryas and Cirillo Luna give excellent performances, the cinematography is sumptuous, the score is perfectly bold and dramatic, and it’s extremely well shot.
FilmCarnage.com 