* spoilers *
Sofie is a single child of a single mother, a typical teenager: her thoughts jump from love and fun to meaning of life. A few short messages in a post-box with simple questions like "Who are you?" intrigue her, and when a strange man Alberto Knox appears a fantastic voyage starts. Alberto leads her like Virgil leads Dante in 'Inferno'. Sometimes we may feel like we're back in school and listen a history lesson. But when education might become boring, story develops. The more we come near to present, the more philosophy enters Sofie's life. And, accepting different philosophic ideas, she starts asking if it is her life at all. Magic and philosophy mixed in a fairy tale and a family movie. And can you believe that UN peacekeeping forces can fit in this mess?
"Jacob's Ladder", "Wizard of Oz", "Slaughterhouse five" and "Alice in Wonderland". Where is the border between reality and dream, philosophy and psychosis, imagination and hallucination? Though Alice in Wonderland is more popular, this movie goes beyond, beyond the mirror - like Alice in the second Carroll's story "Through the Looking-Glass". Alice has been told "We don't exist, we are just a dream of Black King"... Sofie finds a mirror, too - but which direction is correct, which side is the right one?
Alfredo is a kind of Virgil, but a White Rabbit too. And also a Wizard of Oz: he knows tricks, he is wise, but when things become complicated he needs a girl to push him. Who is in fact Alfredo? He asks Sofie who she is to make her wonder, but he doesn't know the answer either. Is he Sofia's father? Yes and no. He is a dog, a magician, and Sofie's mother doesn't even know him. But he is a ideal substitute for a father, and he does for Sofie more than most real fathers ever do to their daughters. Only one question stays unanswered (and that is a problem!): how can Alberto know about major and his book?
Who is this movie for? Not suitable for younger children because they'd be bored, and you must have some knowledge about history. But you don't have to know anything about philosophy. If names like Nietzsche, Kierkgaard or Descartes mean nothing to you, don't worry, the point is that they'll explain their basic ideas. Of course, not for philosophers, they'll find it too superficial. Not suitable for those who expect action, or who lost all abilities to find a child inside themselves. If you are adult with a grain of childhood in your heart, or a romantic teen, or just love unusual and art movies that mix genres, you'll adore this movie. Amusing and amazing, lyric and funny....
At the end of the movie you have most answers and explanations. A very beautiful end. Might remind you on "Fahrenheit 491". People must die, but the art remains and survives. And Sofie's World deserves to survive.
Sofie is a single child of a single mother, a typical teenager: her thoughts jump from love and fun to meaning of life. A few short messages in a post-box with simple questions like "Who are you?" intrigue her, and when a strange man Alberto Knox appears a fantastic voyage starts. Alberto leads her like Virgil leads Dante in 'Inferno'. Sometimes we may feel like we're back in school and listen a history lesson. But when education might become boring, story develops. The more we come near to present, the more philosophy enters Sofie's life. And, accepting different philosophic ideas, she starts asking if it is her life at all. Magic and philosophy mixed in a fairy tale and a family movie. And can you believe that UN peacekeeping forces can fit in this mess?
"Jacob's Ladder", "Wizard of Oz", "Slaughterhouse five" and "Alice in Wonderland". Where is the border between reality and dream, philosophy and psychosis, imagination and hallucination? Though Alice in Wonderland is more popular, this movie goes beyond, beyond the mirror - like Alice in the second Carroll's story "Through the Looking-Glass". Alice has been told "We don't exist, we are just a dream of Black King"... Sofie finds a mirror, too - but which direction is correct, which side is the right one?
Alfredo is a kind of Virgil, but a White Rabbit too. And also a Wizard of Oz: he knows tricks, he is wise, but when things become complicated he needs a girl to push him. Who is in fact Alfredo? He asks Sofie who she is to make her wonder, but he doesn't know the answer either. Is he Sofia's father? Yes and no. He is a dog, a magician, and Sofie's mother doesn't even know him. But he is a ideal substitute for a father, and he does for Sofie more than most real fathers ever do to their daughters. Only one question stays unanswered (and that is a problem!): how can Alberto know about major and his book?
Who is this movie for? Not suitable for younger children because they'd be bored, and you must have some knowledge about history. But you don't have to know anything about philosophy. If names like Nietzsche, Kierkgaard or Descartes mean nothing to you, don't worry, the point is that they'll explain their basic ideas. Of course, not for philosophers, they'll find it too superficial. Not suitable for those who expect action, or who lost all abilities to find a child inside themselves. If you are adult with a grain of childhood in your heart, or a romantic teen, or just love unusual and art movies that mix genres, you'll adore this movie. Amusing and amazing, lyric and funny....
At the end of the movie you have most answers and explanations. A very beautiful end. Might remind you on "Fahrenheit 491". People must die, but the art remains and survives. And Sofie's World deserves to survive.