PLASTIC BAG

HIT OR MISS: HIT.
Title: Plastic Bag
Director: Ramin Bahrani

"http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2010/04/12/plastic-bag/

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At first, one may look at the idea of Ramin Bahrani's latest short film with hesitation, wondering, "How the heck can anyone make 18 minutes of watching a plastic bag interesting?". This type of movie watcher would be more than likely to press the X on the top of their browser within the first few minutes in order to search for something a bit more "action packed." But, if you are the other type of movie watcher, part of the breed that is more open-minded and curious, you will probably find yourself instantly hooked with the idea, wondering,"Just how can Bahrani make 18 minutes of watching a plastic bag interesting?". If you do choose to do the latter and stick around long enough to find out, you will be glad that you did, and more than impressed to see that he actually can.

In the beginning of the short, we are introduced to the short's protagonist, a plastic bag, voiced by German director Werner Herzog. He is laid down on the beach and questioning the meaning of his life. This very existential plastic bag has been thrown into questioning his entire life after losing everything he loves, specifically in regards to his "Maker"-the woman who picked him up from the grocery store.The plastic bag begins to reminisce about all of the times they spent together, including the good (being used as a cold compress to heal her), the bad (his fear of her "personal beast" pet dog), and the confusing (watching her play tennis while being used to carry her tennis balls.)

When the day comes where he is thrown away, the plastic bag is devastated but hopeful. He holds true to his faith that she is worried sick about him and is going to attempt to find him. All of these wishes begin to fade as he realizes the truth through his journey.

As the plastic bag soars through the air, he is taken to a variety of places that he sees as being whole new "Worlds." The longer his journey, the more he lets go of his "maker" and soaks in all of his new findings. He even meets a red "female" plastic bag who he falls in love with calling her "So beautiful" and in that time forgets his maker. In this moment, he feels temporary joy.

After losing her, he begins to see how all good things can become lost, but knows that he must continue onward. As he continues forth on his journey, he meets several other plastic bags who tell him that he must find the "Vortex" in order to find true happiness.

When he finally makes his way to the "Vortex" he is first thrust into the ocean where he comes to love the sea creatures, believing that he is born again as a jellyfish, it is here that he believes he may fully be able to let go of his previous life and immerse himself there. When he makes it to the "Vortex", a place in the ocean full of garbage and other plastic bags, he feels completely free.

In the very end, the plastic bag is shown back in the cleaner part of the ocean away from the "Vortex", while it is unclear how he exactly he has wound up back here. He starts to reexamine his life again, his initial sadness, his journey, finding love, and finally freedom, he starts to wonder again if this is really the place for him. It is a bittersweet ending as he pleads with his final words to his "maker", "If there was one thing I could say to you, I wish you had created me so that I could die".


What makes this film work can be credited to a variety of factors that work together brilliantly to deliver a top notch short. The writing is outstanding in this original and existential plot. Even though the character himself is lost, the motivation remains clear.  Perhaps the film's strongest element is found in the emotions that it evokes. There isn't a moment when you, the viewer, feels a strong emotional connection to the character as well as an emotional response. When he is sad, you really can feel his sorrow. When he is happy, you really feel his joy. It is with Werner Herzog's fantastic narration, as well, that you can really believe him. The film's stunning cinematography, especially in such powerful scenes as the plastic bag soaring over tall skyscrapers and throughout the countryside, makes you see the world in it's power and beauty as if you were just as small as a plastic bag. The power in music, found in the film's beautiful and emotional score, also helps add to the awe and emotion. All of this under Bahrani's fantastic direction  makes this film deliver such strong feelings throughout.

Bahrani has made this a definite "Hit".