Trippy Video Vision (CFF) Explores Time, Transness, and Technology

Title: Video Vision

First Non-Festival Release: TBD

Director: Michael Turney

Writer: Michael Turney

Runtime: 84 Minutes

Starring: Andrea Figliomeni, Chrystal Peterson, Shelley Valfer

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Chattanooga Film Festival in 2024.

Technology has evolved tremendously in such a short period of time that many once innovative and promising mediums have now become obsolete. More nostalgic people, and those who have no other choice but to continue using old tech, embrace the quirks of what many have left behind. Most everything still works, even if it takes a bit longer.

Kibby (Andrea Figliomeni) works at a store which embraces this concept, run by her boss Rodney (Shelley Valfer). They work to digitize data from old devices and repair others for commission or sell if they are lucky. One day Gator (Chrystal Peterson) arrives at the store and hits it off with Kibby, who is captivated but hesitant to pursue a relationship since she doesn’t know how to interact with a trans man. She finds their budding romance difficult but not solely because of his gender identity, but rather because a recently dropped off vcr machine has latched onto her, causing her to undergo her own transformation.

Video Vision has a solid visual direction that is derailed by its rather aimless story and painful dialogue.

Its interesting setup gives Video Vision the ability to take viewers back in time while keeping its story firmly in the modern world. When Kibby interacts with the vcr machine, she does so with irritation and disgust. It offers nothing in the way of utility to her and it shows as she debates whether to junk it on the spot. Once it gets inside of her and begins to toy with her reality, she finds herself immersed in the raw power behind it. The body horror and the possession aspects don’t quite escalate to a satisfying crescendo, but it offers a decent pull to the long conversations that Kibby has with Gator, as she tries to understand him, and herself better.

Much of the film is spent developing the burgeoning romance between Kibby and Gator, which leads way for some unique parallels to its commentary on time and mediums. Many of the duo’s conversations revolve around Gator’s transness, which is handled in a so-so manner. While very direct, much of the dialogue is poorly conceived, feeling like a particularly cringy exchange on Twitter, TikTok, or any number of social media sites. There is a sweetness within the conversations Kibby and Gator have about Gator’s identity, even if it is hidden inside of unintentionally hostile interactions. The connection between transitioning and the evolution of media offers a unique perspective on the ways gender impacts one’s life. Kibby’s obsession with time and her inability to understand the nature of gender makes for repetitive internal conflict that takes far too long to go anywhere.

Unfortunately, the positives of Video Vision end there, as the film takes too long intertwining the past and present with its more philosophical thoughts to tell a cohesive story. Kibby might be suffering through the unnatural effects of the vcr machine early on, but it hardly feels present in the story until it hits the second half of the second act. Its pacing kills it, along with the very on-the-nose dialogue that feels inauthentic and amateur. A gradual escalation of the mysterious force of Dr. Analog (Hunter Kohl) works in theory, but in actuality the moments are too few and far between to illicit the response necessary.

That doesn’t stop Video Vision from achieving some pretty gnarly scenes. Its reliance on practical effects and vintage cinematography allows the film to come to life. Goopy, sticky, and slippery, Video Vision demonstrates how a tactile approach to horror can elevate the experience. Using bright colors and pixelated screens to highlight the difference from the present. Video Vision flourishes when it gets weird, which it finally does in its final act. Exploring the dimension of technology that is terrorizing her life, Kibby faces off against Dr. Analog in a technicolor supercut of horror.

There is a gem of a movie within Video Vision that is aching to burst out of the screen. It is true that stronger actors, a tighter script, and a more focused direction would benefit the film, but that doesn’t mean that Video Vision is without merit. The production values behind the film’s technological landscape are impressive, and the moments where Video Vision gets to play with the horror of its situation make for some great showcases of its special effects department. While time may not change, it is limited in our lives; Video Vision has something unique about it that might catch your fancy if you dare to discover it.

Overall Score? 5/10