Film Review: ‘Fairplay’ directed by Zoel Aeschbacher
Rating: ★★★★☆
Zoel Aeschbacher’s “Fairplay,” showcased at the esteemed 2022 Locarno Film Festival, is an incisive exploration of the disenfranchised in society. The narrative threads together the lives of individuals who, having missed their mark in life, embark on a precarious journey towards their dreams, seeking salvation through chance and gambling. Aeschbacher meticulously dissects the human pursuit of unattainable aspirations, crafting a compelling narrative that pulsates with raw tension.
The film’s opening captivates with its electric energy, immersing viewers into the thematic core of risk and opportunity. Aeschbacher deftly extends the metaphor of chance, seamlessly blending scenes from game shows to high-stakes gambles among youths, symbolizing the relentless pursuit of elusive riches through luck. This intricate interplay between narrative elements and symbolism elevates the film’s thematic resonance.
“Fairplay” intricately interweaves the stories of three central characters—an adolescent seeking validation, a laborer ready to gamble everything, and a seasoned executive yearning for a final affirmation. Their collective journey symbolizes a quest lost in the labyrinth of societal expectations, echoing the film’s broader critique of the perils of the competitive rat race.
Aeschbacher skillfully revisits these characters and their circumstances, emphasizing the pervasive nature of chance and risk in their pursuit of what life has denied them. The film aptly illustrates the futile attempts of these characters to reclaim what they perceive as their rightful place in society, ultimately succumbing to the intoxicating allure of chance.
The film’s crescendo lies in its portrayal of desperation amidst the game of fate. As tension mounts, characters’ dopamine-fueled frenzy reaches a crescendo, leading them down a path of disillusionment and reaffirmation of their marginalized status.
“Fairplay” boasts a finely crafted screenplay that lays bare the intricacies of human desperation, expertly supported by adept direction, seamless editing, and evocative cinematography. Aeschbacher’s vision delivers a poignant portrayal of life’s capricious nature, leaving audiences contemplative about the eternal quest for elusive dreams and the disillusionment that often follows in its wake.
