Critical Mass

Shot on Super 8 and blown-up to 16mm for a dreamlike effect, “Critical Mass” is a strange, poetic vision of childhood. From its first vision sequence to its consequential conclusion, the film follows one boy’s wanderings, both internal and external, as he tries to make sense of his world. Life, death, time and place become interchangeable when he happens upon a dead crow, a barren hilltop, and a small boy who serves as a catalyst for his actions. “A low key tale of guttersnipe mysticism… ‘Critical Mass’ is heavy on mood and symbolism, with Cannizzaro drawing some beautiful compositions. What’s most intriguing about the film is the connection it makes between spiritualism and ennui.” – Paul Malcolm, LA Weekly (Nov. 22, 1996)