SXSW Film Review: The City Dark Invites You to Look Outside of Yourself...and Preferably Up

Ironic that a documentary about darkness can wake viewers up in what ultimately amounts to "a resetting of your ego," according to astrophysicist and interviewee Neil deGrasse Tyson. An absolutely beautiful film from its quiet, nostalgic beginning to the final rapid-fire revelations from the compelling individuals we meet throughout, Ian Cheney's The City Dark takes on a variety of issues regarding light pollution and what exactly has happened to our night sky. How he neatly fits each niche point-of-view into a sleek, all-inclusive 80-minute film is beyond us.

Or not — there appear to be three main reasons why The City Dark clicks as a cinematic experience. First of all, Cheney (also behind King Corn) is the star-loving boy for the job. He grew up in rural Maine making telescopes out of cardboard boxes and attending astronomy camp; it's like he had a high reverence or respect for the sky instilled in him at a young age.

Beyond Cheney, you have an endless number of fascinating characters that pop up: quirky-smart biologists and astronomers (many have been banished to darker desert areas, including a place called Arizona Sky Village — a haven of sorts co-founded by astro-photographer Jack Newton), collision monitors, the light bulb store owner whose grandpa knew Edison, boy scouts, cancer patients and researchers, doomed birds, disoriented turtles, etc... Their energy is inspiring and their distinct experiences are nothing less than captivating. Coupled with this is the fact that these visits include positive takes on light pollution, from the effect it has on criminal activity to the way it inspires social interaction on a massive scale. A true documentary presents all sides.

Last, but not least: the score. The Fisherman Three & Ben Fries do a stellar (pun intended) job mixing curious, insightful score with what Rooftop Films describes as their original "mystical country music and blues of every color" sound. Honestly, we could listen to it separate from the film as a work of its own.

For us, watching The City Dark has an almost therapeutic effect. On the other hand, it's also kind of like those days where you receive BIG information that slaps you in the face and puts life in perspective (like the Japan earthquake and its resulting damage). "Imagining how far the stars are and grasping that...what is coming of age but realizing that you're not the center of the universe."

The City Dark has one more SXSW screening on Friday, March 18th at 4:30pm at Alamo Lamar.

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