Certainly quirky, ‘Ditching‘ is the most recent of the post-apocalyptic themed films on release this year.  With a refreshingly original twist of locating the story within the puzzlingly deserted landscape of Ulster, the small group travel this time in search of medicine.

BY LAURA SHEARER

On the island that has forgotten its own past, we are introduced to the unfamiliar idea that the present is disjointed and cannot necessarily be placed.  Readers of the free newspaper The Vacuum will be pleased to see the first feature film by the local Northern Irish arts organisation Factotum.  It’s a perfect addition to their already impressive creative project achievements.

The filmmaking techniques are subtle but very effective, so it’s unfair to dismiss the final piece as premature.  A truly wonderful use of natural lighting makes every scene fascinating to watch.  Instead of opting for expensive studio equipment, Factotum has intuitively made use of its basic resources.  The overall effect of this brave choice is suitably striking and at the same time inspiring for any local film enthusiasts.

Very familiar landscapes are presented as disturbingly foreign.  Instead of the lush green environment that floods our childhood memories of countryside picnics, all that is left is a startling wilderness.  Under the uncomfortable lingering atmosphere of a stark and chilly, bleak and greying autumn’s day, the travellers’ tale unfolds.  Typically of this appearing stable thematic narrative in contemporary cinema, they encounter the expected clan of cannibals.  This version is nothing stereotypical past the name that they are coined by, offering a really bizarre take on a conventional characterisation.

Some really outstanding characters and superbly masterful acting make up the rest of this extraordinary story.  Along the way we meet several unexpected anonymous strangers that provide little insight to this dysfunctional and vague world.  Taking on larger and perhaps more difficult topics such as religion, superstition and social acceptance, Factotum manages to really push the boundaries of the viewers’ expectations.  Without seeming to struggle with its decided concepts, the narrative is successfully naive and is brilliant at retaining the interest of those who might already be slightly put off by yet another post-apocalyptic tale.