Kiss Wagon

In the realm of Mountland, Ms. Isla maintains control through a labyrinthine parcel service system. It’s the only form of order in this chaotic world. As the Atqaba religious festival nears, Ms. Isla is entrusted with the delivery of an unconventional package from an important figure, and its destination is anything but usual. It’s a mission even she feels unsettled by, but her reputation is everything, so she sets off on the perilous journey.

Taking inspiration from traditional shadow plays and employing a variety of mixed media, effects and styles, Midhun Murali’s self-reflective political thriller immerses us in the rituals, intrigues and lives of Mountland. Though the main thread of the plot appears straightforward, Ms. Isla’s journey soon creates multiple narrative threads whose density reflects the incredible amount of layers (30–40!) out of which the film’s visual aesthetic is constructed. It’s a thrilling, at times visceral, and immersive example of narrative filmmaking, bucking conventions in favour of a more radical approach to storytelling – willing us to feel, rather than just witness, events as they unfold. A three-hour cinematic odyssey, Kiss Wagon is a visually captivating and fascinating investigation into the nature of power.

– Vanja Kaludjercic