ANOMALIA: A DELIGHTFULLY UNSETTLING TALE

-
What do these popular and beloved American television programs have in common: The Office, Homeland, Survivor, The Voice, All in the Family, and American Idol; besides their status as award-winning massive ratings earners? These and many others are examples of TV productions which originated in countries outside the US that became some of the most beloved in America. The ubiquity of streaming services has made it easier than ever before to access exceptional programming from other parts of the world. The Swiss series Anomalia is the type of dark and gripping storytelling so popular with much of the viewing public these days. This RTS [Radio Television Suisse] co-production with an independent TV company features award-winning actress Natacha Régnier in the starring role of Valerie, a woman wedged between science and the paranormal. Awards from the Solothurn Film festival and others have expanded the acclaim of Anomalia, propelling it from primetime domestic fame to international reach.


Neuro-surgeon Valérie Rossier has relocated to Geneva with her son Lucas after separating from her husband. Her new position at a prestigious clinic offers her a fresh start during a stressful time in her life. What she is unaware of is that the past of her family will soon complicate her life. She begins to experience visions of previous events in her patients’ lives. As a woman of science and facts, she finds this highly disconcerting. At the same time, Lucas becomes interested in the idea of witches and claims to have interactions with a veiled woman who we find is an ancestor of Valerie’s and was drowned under accusations of witchcraft. In a wonderfully foreboding tone, Anomalia poses the question of how medical science interacts with the unknown.


The unquestionable charm of Anomalia is both the story and its signature look. In terms of aesthetics, DP Darran Bragg spent an extensive amount of time in preproduction to create the perfect look for the show’s visual identity. Because the show frequently includes flashbacks in time, the camera work makes clever use of a series of practical elements in the frame such as a key prop, fire, or water, coordinating the movement of the actors out of one frame and into the next for a seamless and dramatic transition. Camera style and lighting also serve to reinforce the difference in eras, creating clearly defined timelines and avoiding the need for exposition. Regarding the region depicted in the show, Bragg communicates, “When shooting exteriors, we wanted to capture the majesty and starkness of the surrounding mountainous landscape as well as the subtle details of nature, such as light playing in the trees or the drip of melting snow. These images served as quiet moments in each episode that enabled the audience to reflect on the drama and provided a formal repetition across the series.”


Anomalia’s popularity in its primetime slot reinforced the belief that shows concerning the paranormal are evergreen…when told by talented artists like those behind this one. The show was nominated for the New Creators Award at the Mannheim-Heidlberg International Film Festival, and earned a Best Supporting Actress in a TV Show award for Claude Inga Barbey at the 51st Solothurn Film festival.

Author: Kelly King

Popular posts from this blog

The 3 Cleanest Power Generation Options

-
Image
It’s been sudden and swift, but public opinion on dirty power generation from the likes of coal burning power stations has changed. The world has started to reject the enormous pollution and greenhouse gasses that lead to the climate change we’re starting to see the evidence of. More and more we’re seeking out cleaner ways of producing power, and that has led us to the boom in renewable power generation. Here are a few of the ways we’re shifting towards generating power cleaner and without the massive environmental costs of old. Solar Power By far the most popular renewable and clean power source for domestic and private companies looking to contribute to a cleaner society is solar power. It is derived from taking the power of the sun and sunlight and converting it via heat into electricity. The most common way of achieving this is by using special photovoltaic panels to directly convert this sunlight into electricity . It’s a power source that is quite literally limitless. If ther...
Read more

Deelish Recipes: Global Eats, Easy Treats

-
Image
Deelish Recipes: A Treasure Trove of Culinary Delights for Food Enthusiasts of All Levels Looking to expand your culinary horizons? Deelish Recipes is your one-stop shop for delicious recipes, cooking tips, and inspiration from around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, Deelish Recipes has something to ignite your passion for food. Here's what sets Deelish Recipes apart: Vast Recipe Collection: Explore a world of flavors with our extensive library of recipes, categorized by ingredient, cuisine, and meal type for effortless browsing. User-Friendly Design: Our intuitive website makes finding the perfect recipe a breeze. Informative Writing Style: Easy-to-follow instructions and clear explanations ensure culinary success for all skill levels. Cultural Context: Dive deeper with background stories and insights, enriching your understanding of global cuisines. Engaging Content: Personal anecdotes and cultural connections add a delightful touch to...
Read more

New York Times vs. ChatGPT: A Legal and Technological Showdown

-
Image
The Lawsuit: Origins and Allegations The New York Times has recently filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement​​​​ . This legal action has sparked a significant debate about the boundaries of copyright law, especially in the rapidly evolving domain of artificial intelligence. OpenAI's Stance: Fair Use and the Future of AI OpenAI has responded to the lawsuit, claiming that its use of publicly available data, including New York Times articles, for training AI models is fair use. The company argues that this practice is essential for innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. Moreover, OpenAI suggests that it's unlikely for its models to regurgitate content from a single source like The New York Times, placing the responsibility on users to avoid prompting such outcomes​​. The Implications for Journalism and AI Development The lawsuit filed by The New York Times highlights a growing concern among content creators regard...
Read more