In Limbo (2018)

Directed by: Jim Suter | 43 minutes | drama, short film | Actors: Nasrdin Dchar, Charlie Chan Dagelet, Cees Geel, Nino den Brave, Gijs Scholten van Aschat

Together with his pregnant girlfriend Tess, police officer Oscar enjoys a well-deserved holiday in a luxurious all-inclusive hotel in Greece. With the beautiful weather, the many activities and a lovely lazy pool, there are plenty of reasons to clear your head completely. Still, Oscar (strong role by Nasrdin Dchar) is a bit bothering. When he meets Anton (Cees Geel) during a lonely evening walk, a major trauma from a recent past comes to the surface. And above all, the holiday seems to be a flight.

For a long time it remains exciting what exactly happened in that past. The emphasis is therefore entirely on the torment and processing of the trauma. That is a smart step, because it allows ‘In Limbo’ to get closer in a personal way. This is reinforced by the powerful imagery, which continuously focuses on main character Oscar. At the same time, the world around him is often out of focus. As a result, you as a spectator are automatically drawn into the chaos in his head.

Slowly it becomes clear that the incident that worries him so much is having repercussions on upcoming parenthood. The doubts, can he bear the responsibility of a child, make that not only the past but also the future works on his mind. ‘In Limbo’ (a term used in a situation where the future is still unknown) brings together the past trauma and the fear of upcoming parenthood in a decisive way. Oscar gradually becomes caught between what has been before and what is yet to be. A ghost world stationed in nothingness.

The magically realistic dimension, ‘In Limbo’ could be such a Hubert Lampo adaptation, is pleasant. But because from a narrative point of view the film can sometimes seem a bit sought after, he just lacks the right conviction. Fortunately, ‘In Limbo’ is visually attractive enough not to be experienced as too disturbing.