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Mindscape (2013 film)

From Alfawiki
Ombra Films
Company typeFilm production company
IndustryFilm production
Founded2011
FounderJaume Collet-Serra, Juan Solá
ProductsMindscape (film)

Mindscape—also released under the title Anna—is a psychological thriller from 2013, marking the feature film debut of Spanish director Jorge Dorado. The cast includes Taissa Farmiga, Mark Strong, Noah Taylor, and Brian Cox. Penned by Guy Holmes, the narrative centers on John, a detective endowed with the ability to delve into people's memories, who investigates whether Anna, a gifted yet emotionally disturbed 16-year-old girl, is a sociopath or suffering from deep psychological trauma.

The movie had its first screening at the 46th Sitges Film Festival on October 13, 2013, where it garnered positive reviews in Spain. It was distributed domestically by Warner Bros. starting January 24, 2014. Its North American debut occurred at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 5, 2014. Renamed Anna for this audience, the film was released on video on demand by Vertical Entertainment on May 6, 2014, followed by a limited theatrical run beginning June 6, 2014.

Plot

In the aftermath of clandestine experiments, some individuals known as "viewers" develop psychic powers that allow them to access others’ memories. John Washington, recently widowed, is one such viewer employed by Mindscape—a premier agency specializing in memory detection that aids criminal investigations through psychic insights, although their evidence is not legally accepted.

After an unsuccessful session results in John suffering a stroke that leaves him debilitated for two years, he faces financial difficulties but still retains ownership of his late wife’s beach house. Seeking employment from his former boss Sebastian, John is assigned to a new case involving Anna Greene, a brilliant yet troubled teenager who is engaging in a hunger strike. While her stepfather advocates for her institutionalization, Anna and her mother oppose this. John's objective is to end her strike.

As therapy sessions progress—centered around Anna's experiences at an elite girls’ school—John finds himself both intrigued and cautious about her. When Judith, Anna’s nurse and John’s romantic interest, is pushed down stairs and Anna is accused, John suspects foul play involving Anna’s stepfather and discovers Sebastian withheld a file concerning Anna. Anna becomes increasingly flirtatious and presents John with a portrait she drew of him bearing the caption "You are my only safe place."

John uncovers that Anna had a sexual relationship with her photography teacher Tom Ortega, who is currently incarcerated. Ortega alleges that Anna manipulated him. While investigating an alleged poisoning incident at school, John finds no proof of the student "Mousey," whom Anna blames. However, Anna shares a photo featuring herself with Mousey to rebuild John's trust.

Recovered memories indicate that Sebastian may have approached Anna during her childhood inappropriately—a claim he denies. John advises against placing Anna in an institution. Later at home, John notices that the note accompanying Anna’s portrait matches one linked to "Mousey" and detects discrepancies in her yearbook.

John receives an urgent call from Anna and rushes to her residence only to witness her fleeing after discovering her parents have been murdered. The police arrest John for assaulting Anna based on incriminating evidence including blood found on his hands.

While imprisoned, John encounters another memory detective who reveals that Anna has manipulated memories to frame him and probably faked her death to escape parental control. John apologizes to Sebastian, who promises to leverage this information to secure John's release.

Meanwhile, Anna sends John a red rose along with photographic proof that she is alive. After being freed from jail, John discovers his beach house has been sold and begins rebuilding his life with Judith.

Cast


Development

In 2011, Jaume Collet-Serra partnered with Juan Solá to establish Ombra Films. The project Mindscape emerged from a joint effort between Ombra and The Safran Company. Olivier Courson of The Safran Company commended his collaboration with Collet-Serra, emphasizing his skills as both a director and producer. The screenplay was crafted by Guy Holmes.

Mindscape represents the inaugural venture for Ombra Films, The Safran Company, and Antena 3 Films, produced alongside Miguel A. Faura for Roxbury Pictures, with support from Televisió de Catalunya. The film’s budget was approximately $4.35 million. Distribution across the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, along with international sales, was overseen by StudioCanal. This film marked Jorge Dorado’s feature directorial debut; he was previously recognized for his second-unit contributions and a segment in the 2007 anthology Limonchello. The original score was composed by Lucas Vidal.

Casting

The announcement of principal cast members—Mark Strong, Taissa Farmiga, and Brian Cox—occurred on October 17, 2012, shortly after production commenced. In interviews, Strong characterized the film as "a classic detective story infused with science-fiction elements." Director Dorado cited influences such as Vertigo and Chinatown, describing the narrative as a "complex enigma for viewers to unravel."

Filming

Principal photography started on October 16, 2012, in Madrid, Spain, with additional filming locations including Barcelona, the Dordogne region in France, and Montreal in Quebec, Canada. Scenes were shot on-site at the Château d'Essendiéras in Dordogne during October 2012. Alain Bainée, serving as art director, earned a nomination for Best Production Design at the Gaudí Awards on January 3, 2014.

Marketing

The first official theatrical poster was released by Warner Bros. in August 2013. This was followed by the debut trailer on October 3, 2013. A second poster appeared later that month ahead of the film’s showing at the Sitges Film Festival. The English-language trailer became available on October 28, 2013.

Release

Mindscape had its premiere at the 46th edition of the Sitges Film Festival, where it opened the Official Fantàstic Competition on October 13, 2013. Financing and distribution within the UK, France, Germany, and international markets were managed by StudioCanal. The film also featured at the Festival international du film fantastique de Gérardmer, the Glasgow Film Festival, and the Dallas International Film Festival.

Warner Bros. handled the Spanish theatrical release on January 24, 2014. Prior to the European Film Market, North American rights were acquired by Vertical Entertainment. Renamed Anna for this region, it became available via video on demand on May 6, 2014, followed by a limited cinema release on June 6, 2014. The film premiered in Singapore on May 8, 2014; Japan on September 27, 2014; and the United Kingdom on July 25, 2014. It later aired on Film4 television on December 29, 2015.

Home media

The movie became available on DVD and Blu-ray in Spain on June 3, 2014, while the DVD version was released in the United States on August 5, 2014. A Blu-ray edition for the U.S. market has not been issued to date. The film was launched on August 25, 2014, in the United Kingdom, followed by a release in the Netherlands on August 26, and later in Germany on November 20. By April 2016, DVD sales in the U.S. had reached $69,043.

Box office

Debuting across 154 venues in Spain, the film opened with earnings of $397,978, averaging $2,584 per location. During its second weekend, it garnered $196,146 with a per-theater average of $1,211. By August 1, 2014, total revenue in Spain had climbed to $1,145,614. Upon its release in Singapore on May 8, 2014, the film generated $72,586. The combined box office from Spain and Singapore amounted to $1,218,200.

In the United States, the film had a limited theatrical run accompanied by video on demand starting May 6, 2014, followed by screenings in 15 theaters beginning June 6. Domestic performance was modest with an opening weekend gross of $2,541 and a cumulative total of $4,288 after one week. The UK release in July 2014 yielded minimal box office receipts of only $185. Globally, the film amassed approximately $1,256,607 at the box office.

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 33% approval rating based on 21 critiques with an average score of 4.90/10. Meanwhile, Metacritic assigned it a score of 42 out of 100 from seven critics, reflecting "mixed or average reviews."

At the 46th Sitges Film Festival, Jordi Cierco from Fin de la Historia described it as an "engaging thriller featuring a strong screenplay." Shelagh Rowan-Legg of Screen Anarchy characterized it as a classic Hitchcock-inspired thriller infused with science fiction elements and commended Dorado’s direction alongside performances by Mark Strong and Taissa Farmiga. COPE praised Dorado’s technical expertise, Farmiga’s emerging cult status, Lucas Vidal’s compelling musical score, and Óscar Faura’s striking cinematography. José Hernández from Cineol awarded it three out of five stars and noted its commercial viability akin to films like Red Lights and Intruders.

Jonathan Holland at The Hollywood Reporter referred to it as a clever movie with a complex narrative but lacking stylistic flair. Jose Manuel Cuéllar from ABC lauded it as a promising debut filled with potential for success. La Vanguardia gave it full marks for its moody ambiguity. AlloCiné rated the film three and a half stars out of five, highlighting its meticulous craftsmanship and nods to psychological thrillers and cerebral puzzles reminiscent of Inception.

The performances by Strong and Farmiga received widespread acclaim. Spain’s longest-standing film magazine Fotogramas praised the dynamic between Strong’s troubled detective character and Farmiga’s enigmatic femme fatale role as "exceptional co-leads." La Razón commended Strong’s measured acting alongside Farmiga’s nuanced intelligence and emphasized their chemistry as well as the film’s subtle erotic undertones. However, this review pointed out that the narrative weakens toward the conclusion, leaving "numerous unresolved elements."

Accolades

Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Sitges Film Festival Official Selection Mindscape Template:Won
Best Motion Picture Template:Nom
Gaudí Awards Best Production Director Alain Bainée Template:Nom
Goya Awards Goya Award for Best New Director Jorge Dorado Template:Nom
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival Golden Raven Statuette Mindscape Template:Nom
Neox Fan Awards Best Spanish Film of the Year Template:Nom

External links

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