Special Features
Of Unknown Origin is a film that succeeds well beyond its supposed station. Thankfully, there are some special features which help to place it in a broader context. Aside from cast and crew lists and a theatrical trailer is a commentary by director Cosmatos and star Weller, which is both enlightening and entertaining. In the commentary, much is mentioned of the film’s thematic progress to what Cosmatos calls “one man’s victory over obsession” and its discussion of materialism. Some background to the film is mentioned as well as the logistics of working on location in Montreal. The film is considered as a character piece and Weller discusses the pivotal role of humor in his characterization and how for him the film becomes a metaphor for survival. Cosmatos draws attention to those aspects of his visual style that make the most deliberate impression and of how the film was shot in narrative continuity to allow the production designers to chart the systematic destruction of the house. Mention is made of the film’s similarity to, and differences from, Alien and of how they consider it a thriller more than a horror film or fantasy (although it won accolades at a fantasy film festival the year of its release). Cosmatos admits his fondness for straight cuts over dissolves or other elaborate scene transitions whilst Weller also speaks of the film as about a man defined purely by his relationship to an antagonist.
Wider Screenings Star Rating
The Movie: 4 ½ stars
Picture: 4 stars
Sound: 4 stars
Extras: 3 stars
WS DVD
rating: 4 stars
Wider Screenings DVD Attractions Trailer
(courtesy of YouTube embedded video)