Arrested Memory
In this crime drama by R&A favourite Sabu, a detective sets out to investigate a kidnapping operation, but his worsening dementia throws his plans into disarray.
The day after a bad night’s sleep can often feel sluggish. You are tired, and your ability to concentrate is put to the test. The protagonist of Arrested Memory, a detective by profession, carries a heavier burden than most: he is suffering from dementia.
When a child of a local businessman is kidnapped, detective Lee (Ethan Juan) sets off after the culprit, ransom in hand. But his advancing dementia throws all manner of obstacles in the way of the investigation. The operation goes off the rails almost immediately, and before long the detective finds himself fleeing not only the criminals but also his colleagues. Little by little, Lee’s tough exterior begins to crack. As the diagnosis unfolds, ghosts from the past begin to surface.
Cult director Sabu has been making films for thirty years, and it shows. Arrested Memory is a stylish and confident addition to the rich tradition of detective cinema. The cinematography favours warm colours, stillness and silence. Even amid breathtaking hand-to-hand fights, Sabu finds serene beauty. Although the film gives its protagonist’s unhurried journey room to breathe, it never forgets the essential ingredients of the genre: comedy and juicy action sequences.
Iikka Arve (translated by Mira Liimatainen)
Screenings
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Kinopalatsi 1Sun 20.9. at 21.15–22.4287 min, 1/3
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Kinopalatsi 2Wed 23.9. at 18.30–19.5787 min, 2/3
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Savoy-teatteriFri 25.9. at 19.00–20.2787 min, 3/3