‘Another Day To Live Through’ VOD Review
Stars: Lene Kqiku, Timo Torikka, Vincent Willestrand | Written and Directed by Peter Simmons
Writer/director Peter Simmons’ feature debut Another Day To Live Through opens with the foreboding words “Evil men don’t die easily. God doesn’t want them, and the devil can wait” and follows Satu (Lene Kqiku) during a hike, as she intends to reach a wilderness cabin ahead of an oncoming storm. What happens next is a blur, as the young woman awakens within a secluded cabin feeling disorientated. Also in the cabin is Lauri (Timo Torikka), an army medic who claims to be taking care of the young woman after she hits her head.
While Satu wishes to phone her friends and asks where her stuff is, Lauri makes excuses which sets alarm bells ringing. Danger signs are evident as audiences see him rummaging through Satu’s bag, including a prolonged sequence as he reads aloud a personal letter of hers. What unfolds intends to depict an unsettling cycle of danger and abuse, although this is hampered by slow pacing amidst dull proceedings.
Puzzle pieces are scattered throughout to hopefully fall into place by the end, although the disjointed structure instead tests one’s interest in seeing the full picture. Not helping matters are odd instances where voiceover plays to seemingly unconnected scenes, feeling like a post-production mistake instead of an artistic choice.
Between the scratchy-sounding score and the repeated visions of faceless people stripped of their humanity, the components are there for an unsettling work. Unfortunately, the desired effect is missing which leaves the 81-minute runtime to feel longer than necessary.
*½ 1.5/5
Another Day To Live Through is available on UK digital now from Reel 2 Reel Films
