The Unknown Battle against Mediocrity (2016) Online

The Unknown is a fun and wild ride that took me places I didn't know a film could. It's a mysterious, black comedy/social satire with the sensibilities of a fine art film and rhythmic energy of a traditional "movie".

The film follows the exploits of an enigmatic gas-masked rocking vigilante who is the only person standing between creative expression and it's destruction at the hands of the Anti Art Police (AAP). It's a race against time as the Unknown tries to bomb the AAP out of existence before they track him down and take him out.

That's the literal plot...but there is so much more than just the literal in this film. The narrative transcends mere plot by being executed in a series of trippy, murky, bright-campy, existentialist vignettes that ebb, flow, overlap, delineate, circle and at all times coheres into a lyrical song that washes over you. It is very rare to find a film that is full of cryptic wonder while at all times making internal and conventional sense.

The performance by the lead is a remarkable homage to the silent film era of "acting" by transforming yourself into a "living painting/drawing". Whether racing through the streets on his Vespa, sorting through intel in his lair, or professing his love to a damsel, it all feels like watching a painting being animated by forces beyond our understanding.

While the film unfolds in rich layered textures make no mistake, it has a lightness of touch that gives it a zippy feel. You won't get stuck and bored and yes...you will be entertained.

I was lucky enough to view this remarkable work of art at a private screening. Many films (especially independent ones) aspire to be not merely entertainment products that possess artistic qualities...but a genuine work of creative art reflective of a single artist's vision, intellect, expressiveness and voice.

Even beautiful films struggle with this elusive goal. The Unknown: Battle Against Mediocrity succeeds in being actual art by taking a unique route to it's creation.

Film creator Jalal Pleasant shot the film while simultaneously acting in it AND did all the editing vfx and post. It really is the work of a singular artist's hands. No film school or studio in the world would advise this...but this is exactly the kind of battle against mediocrity that the film's title suggests.

The Unknown puts it's money where it's mouth is and comes up big. This is one for the ages. You heard it here first folks. Catch it before the Anti Art Police tries to take it down lol