Camera Obscura (2000) Poster

(2000)

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10/10
A captivating masterpiece!
zavoh28 May 2001
Having had considerable amount of contact with a few police departments I have to say that this movie captured the police culture like no other movie I have ever seen. Generally, directors either over exaggerate the evil of the police or leave it in some positive ferry tail haze.

And that sound! It was absolutely wonderful. The movie itself was captivating, but that sound somehow further forced my already undivided attention.

After seeing this movies I definitely want more.
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9/10
Great concept, excellent photography, good execution
andy-189312 November 2006
Camera Obscura is a different kind of film, with interesting elements across the board. Its "darkenss" and noir film feeling cannot leave you indifferent. the whole ambiance is wonderfully set and touches you. So do the characters. The change in the psychology of the Characters as the story unfolds really catches you and so does the story telling. Simple, minimal and to the point guarding at all times the aim of the Story tellers to dissect the inner workings of the "Cameraman". I really liked the Detective! Ariadna really fills her shoes! Excellent Photography and great directing. The scene with the Last Supper is really a work of art. Its conception, set-up and execution impeccable.

Really enjoyed it!
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10/10
Luscious photography, deliciously twisted story
yervantdp11 November 2006
If you appreciate astounding photography you simply must get yourself a copy of this film. Zambarloukos may well be the best cinematographer out there. The film is definitely not for the faint hearted and the way the story meanders does touch, deftly, upon madness and leaves the viewer feeling somewhat unsettled. Scratch beneath the luscious surface, however, and you'll find yourself engrossed in a story whose twists simply render a spoiler obsolete. I for one am glad it's finally out on DVD and intend to make it an unusual Xmas gift to unsuspecting friends and relatives. If it doesn't take your breath away then your senses are obviously dulled.
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10/10
very captivating
nate_morton23 April 2003
An excellent movie! It kept me and my girlfriend at the edge of our seats - it was soooo intense and with so many interesting unexpected twists. It was well worth ditching my last two classes! It's a kind of movie that you want to see in a movie theater since the sound is so intense. Oh, and the lead actress is HOT! The kind of hot that you don't ever see in movies.
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10/10
It's the best independent film that I have seen.
knkushsirt23 May 2001
Camera Obscura is the best independent film that I have seen in the past ten years. I enjoyed watching every minute, and every scene of this phenomenal film. For this reason I recommend everybody to see Camera Obscura. Hamlet Sarkissian deserves a big praise for this movie, and I can not wait to see his future films.
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10/10
a very entertaining thriller
vanessabom6 June 2001
everything was great about the movie. I guess if I had to choose how I could make it better, I would have someone else play the lead male role. he was ok. he looked liked he fit the part but his acting could have been more convincing. overall, its a great movie. I can't wait to go see it again with my friends when they show it in LA... are they going to show it in LA?
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Welcome to the next generation of film makers !
birgit.vandenbempt6 April 2000
Where love and devotion can lead to. Scary !

Camera Obscura is a love story, set in downtown L.A., where the LAPD is the synonym of corruption. Jimmy is a young and sensible photographer, who wants to make ends meet a little bit easier, so he becomes photographer for the LAPD and thus has to make pictures at crime scenes. Very soon, he realizes that he's the wrong guy at the wrong place.

Camera Obscura is Hamlet Sarkissian's first feature film. Although he wanted to make a very hard movie, he knew how to convince young professionals to work with him. It's also thanks to his cameraman, Harris Zambarloukos, that the film becomes flashy, up tempo and intriguing.

I hope Camera Obscura will get any chance it deserves. I'm waiting impatiently for Hamlet Sarkissian's next project.
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10/10
top marks!
alki-511 November 2006
Enjoyed the film very much.

Would recommend it to anyone.

Set in contemporary Los Angeles, a psychological thriller concerning Jimmy, a talented photographer

with true artist's sensibilities who takes a job as a crime scene photographer with the LAPD. Unable to comprehend and accept the dark and cruel reality of the crime scenes, Jimmy starts to beautify the crime scenes by changing the composition, lighting and lenses he uses, and shooting the victims

A
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9/10
Exceptional plot / great cinematography
yannis-1414 November 2006
I was very impressed by this psychological thriller set in downtown Los Angeles. The story from Director and Screenwriter Hamlet Sarkissian is an exceptional one; and Director of Photography Haris Zambarloukos brilliantly captures the mood of the film and the actors with every shot. The crime scene reconstruction of a mob killing into the Last Supper is a genius work of art. Also impressive is a slow motion bullet shot piercing a body. Beautiful and talented Spanish actress Ariadna Gil delivers an excellent performance next to Adam Terese. V.J. Foster and Cully Fredricksen also deliver very real characters as corrupt "scummy" homicide detectives.
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Fragile reality
Vincentiu19 February 2011
Dark pieces of a young photographer's life. Slices of crisis, old desires and captivity in closed world. Bodies and pictures. An artificial escape beyond daily problems. A man, his wife, broken feelings and smoke of a lost existence. Drogs,LAPD corruption, cruel choice and a murder. A gray movie. Nothing special. Nothing new. So, the final impression is only important. Taste of sand and ash.One of that films in which the hero is small,fragile shadow. Some images makes more than entire creation. An exercise to describe a fragment of reality. A step of a director who it is a promise. Not impressive but important to not forgive the essence of a fragile reality.
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10/10
Genius
volkstring1 March 2014
Phenomenal. Camera Obscura is the most unique film I have ever seen. A perfect Los Angeles film which captures the dark side of all that is at one point considered good. Hamlet Sarkissian does a truly remarkable job and Zambarlukos is probably the best cinematographer out there. The original soundtrack which is also by the excellent composer Tigran Mansurian is perfect for the film. I have honestly not watched a movie this beautiful and realistic in a very, very long time. Artists like this are very rare in the modern world. The plot of the film is very gray and definitely not easy to handle. The film takes you in and makes you feel the characters very well. This dark and beautiful story deserves much more attention than that which it is receiving. Looking very forward to other works by this genius director.
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