There are different worlds beyond the physical realm, and they are just as real. Endorphine takes us into dreams, premonitions, hypnosis, unconsciousness, past and future, alternate realities, different characters and ages, death, passion and fear, pain, hope, science, religion and more. As hard as it may be to imagine, they all merge into one. Expect at the completion of the film to look for the remnants of your shattered brain among the seat cushions, candy wrappers and stale popcorn.
We explore these parallel universes through the character of Simone, and at various stages and spheres of her life. Simone foresees, witnesses and revisits the brutal death of her mother. She disconnects from world and those around her in the wake of this.
Endorphine explores how people deal with trauma. The film is heroically bold, raw and uninhibited. It is a puzzle for sure, yet a fascinating one. Story lines and scenes repeat, expand, merge and fold into themselves. There are layers of meaning everywhere. I truly believe these different realms (i.e. dreams, visions, premonitions etc. .) are as real as what we can touch, and yet I certainly don't understand them. I doubt anyone does. This is why it is so wonderful to explore such themes in the transforming, influential and magical medium of film. The director was the cinematographer for one of my favorite films of all time; Incendies. The connection between Incendies and this film is evident. I wish Turpin and Villeneuve still collaborated on this film. It might have perfected Endorphine, which lacks the symmetry of Incendies. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival 2015.
