MONOLITH

Australia, 2022, 94 minutes, Colour.

Lily Sullivan, Voices of: Erik Thomson, Terence Crawford, Kate Box, Damon Herriman.

Directed by Matt Vesely.

Monolith is a small budget Australian film. There is a monolith in the scenario, a small mysterious brick which appears and reappears. Memories of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 A Space Odyssey and the vast monolith which appears in the prehistoric era, in the contemporary era and in futuristic space. It was a symbol of something transcendent which many interpreted religiously.

In this film, a young journalist who makes pod casts has been criticised and is trying to defend herself, making phone calls, investigating a mysterious situation. Her contacts indicate the presence of the brick, indicate some kind of psychological infection from contact with it, a kind of infection dream scenario, with apocalyptic repercussions.

The young woman is played by Lily Sullivan. The other characters in the film make only verbal appearances, phone, television. There are some flashbacks and the film shows the surrounding scenery of the house and, at the end, ventures outside. And here, the young woman’s alter ego also appears and there is confrontation.

However, at the core of the story is a domestic situation, the young woman remembering her ninth birthday, the presence of the brick, the jealousy of a young girl, the consequences for the young girl’s family and a phone call from the grown-up young girl talking about the situation, memories, as was the phone call from the father, his justifying his behaviour in the past – and the young woman realising that she has had a false memory of the past. And, so, the need to confront her other self.

This is something of a tour de force performance by Lily Sullivan and the film is both curious and intriguing.

1. An experimental film, the drama? Single set, the house, the interiors and rooms, corridors, the countryside views out the window? Action taking place on the computer screen, the birthday party, the musical score?
2. The cast, Lily Sullivan, on screen all the time, then her double self, the struggle? The range of voices? And The Interviewer on her ninth birthday and the issue of the brick?
3. The title, echoes of 2001 and the Monolith, crafted, a significant presence? Transcendent? In this context, the presence of the brick, size, shape, historical presence, ownership, cause of conflict in ownership? Finally called and brought up by The Interviewer?
4. The character of The Interviewer, anonymous, her age, family, connections? Privileged upbringing? Journalist, in doubtful repute, saving her reputation, the pod cast, her media abilities, those listening, those intervening and phoning?
5. The contradictions of her character, the good and the bad, a conflict? Trying to redeem herself, better her reputation?
6. The issue of the brick, the various phone calls, the science background, the woman phoning in, their experiences with the brick – and speculation of it being alien, power, cause of conflict, causing an illness, causing an epidemic, global consequences?
7. The contrast with the domestic explanation of the brick, The Interviewer at nine, her birthday, the gift of the brick, it being sent to her in the office, her interactions with the brick? Continued discussions with those calling in, especially her father, his memories, not wanting it to be further discussed?
8. The friend from the past, journalist, her photo, the phone call, her not wanting to talk, the family disputes of the past, ownership of the brick, her family being ousted? The Interviewer’s father condemnatory?
9. The growing desperation, her admitting the truth about the brick, her father’s condemnation of the young friend because of carving the antique furniture, The Interviewer and the singing of symbols, remembering the carving, taking the blame?
10. The buildup to a climax, her desperation, contacting those were favourable, their offering more information?
11. The appearance of her alter ego, the confrontation, conflict, the fight between them, The Interviewer conquering?
12. The resolution? What future?