It is no surprise that Greek director Konstantina Kotzamani’s Japanese film Titanic Ocean was selected for Cannes. It has striking visuals and production design. The performances are all commendable. Above all else, it is an original work that does not immediately bring other films to mind.
The fact that it uses the song I Follow Rivers by Lykke Li, whom I’ve been a fan of over the years, extensively is another reason it could have appealed to me. Sadly, the substance did not match the style on display. I can see the ideas about transformation, the end of the world, and rebirth, presented here, appealing to some viewers, but they never really came together for me. The film also felt at least half an hour too long.
If your priorities in cinema include visual appeal, originality, and the discovery of new voices, then Titanic Ocean might be worth seeking out. I wanted more out of it.
