Tag: the platform

We must obey the Law. Always. Without exception. “The Platform 2” (“El hoyo 2”, 2024)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
© 2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

How thrilled I was when I noticed that there’s “The Platfrom 2” on Netflix. When I think of sci-fi productions that I like, I always remember the first part of this story. I’m not that much into spaceships and creatures with big heads speaking some unknown language, but instead I just adore when the film makes me question human nature. For those who haven’t seen the first part, I highly recommend you to see them in the right order, because if you see the 2nd film, you might not feel that excited about the mystery of the first one. So, I assume that if you’re reading this, you’ve already seen “The Platform” numero uno, because I’m about to share a few words about the 2nd part. Here, we’re beginning already knowing what the idea of this strange place – it’s a prison with 333 floors, on each floor we have two random people and each month they are rearranged to new floors. Just like in the first part, there’s still that damn hole in the middle and the prisoners can find food on the moving platform. However, since the people there are already used to this environment, we get to observe two social groups – those who follow the rules and those who don’t. The rules are simple – no matter which floor you’re at, you only eat the dish you ordered before entering. However, if someone else has eaten your dish, you’re not allowed to eat anything else – this way the loyalists believe one day everyone will learn and obey the Law. Sounds lovely, but it can be quite frustrating to follow the rules and keep starving because of those who don’t care about them. In such circumstances, patience is very much limited. I’m actually glad the producers didn’t repeat the same story just with different characters – they kind of presented the follow-up in the same environment. Personally, I’m a huge fan of this idea, because it’s simple and lets us observe another process taking place in the prison. I know such platform seems abstract, yet both films say a lot about humans in society. No matter what rules you make, no matter how hard you try to be fair, in the end, each person cares mostly about themselves. Sooner or later, they put themselves first, especially if others don’t care to cooperate. Another thing that I find an unfortunate lesson about humans is that the moment we reach the top, we immediately want to get revenge and do everything we couldn’t do before, just 3 times more intensively. Just like in this prison – if after a month of being on one of the lowest levels you’re reassigned to one of the highest, you eat whatever you want – just like those people above you the previous month. Who cares that this time someone else is starving down there, right? Hard to imagine the same processes in our real life, but if you analyse it, we really live together and care only about our own self. That’s it. And that’s why I appreciate such productions – for feeding my lack of hope for humanity as a collective. Sad summary, but this film is worth seeing, so go for it.

My rating: 6.5/10
S.

There are three types of people. Those at the top, those at the bottom and those who fall. “The Platform” (“El Hoyo”, 2019)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
© 2019 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

I loved this film. And seriously, it’s another production that proves how much some people can be wrong about films. Obviously, we all have our preferences, but this film is rather underrated, in my opinion. I mean, it’s not a typical sci-fi thriller with aliens and strange creatures from other planets. This one is way more psychological and you should focus on the conversations, instead of what’s happening on the screen. But perhaps you’d like to know what it’s all about, so let me share a few words. Everything starts with our main character Goreng (Iván Massagué) waking up in a concrete cell. He spots that he’s not the only one there. Next to him there’s another man called Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor), who’s much older and much more experienced in what’s happening in this place. Goreng notices that there are cells above and below their own and there’s a huge rectangle-shaped hole in the middle of each cell’s floor. Trimagasi explains that it’s a hole for the food platform. It goes from the top to the bottom, filled with food, and the prisoners get to eat what’s left. Goreng and his cellmate are in cell 48, which means they will eat after 94 people. At first, the main character finds it disgusting, but he realises that there’s no other option. The men are lucky, because some leftovers can still be found on the platform when it reaches their cell. However, there are many cells below them. Every month, all the prisoners are moved to a different floor. After such switch, the cellmates wake up sharing the cell with each other once again, but this time Goreng is tied to his bed and the number on the wall says “171”… Doom doom doom. Honestly, this film gives you so much food for thought (ha, the word “food” can be a bit wrong here) that when I finished watching it, I needed a break to reflect on everything. If I have a chance, I’d love to organise a discussion about it, because I feel like there’s so much we could learn from this story. I think the idea for the film is fantastic, it’s well played, you may have a good laugh and also feel horribly disgusted, but I’m afraid the ending didn’t satisfy me that much. I mean, it was slightly illogical and kind of disappointing. But on the other hand, it isn’t that predictable, so perhaps some of you will fancy it more. Still, I’m a big fan of this production and it will stay with me for a long time.

My rating: 7.5/10
S.