"Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse" (2023)

By Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden

Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict”, both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of feature-length cinema. However, here and there they will be taking a look at films that don’t quite hit the run time for a feature length classification. For this installment, it’s the dystopian fairy tale, Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse (Era Uma Vez no Apocalipse; Portugal, 2023), directed by Tiago Pimentel and cowritten by Pimentel and António Miguel Pereira.

Synopsis

In the aftermath of a nuclear war, totalitarian regimes disrupt world order. Ernesto is hiding a secret, and when a government inspector shows up at his doorstep a cat and mouse game unfolds that can only end in tragedy.

Reviews

Joseph: Visually rich and excellently acted, Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse is a riveting short film. Director Tiago Pimentel cranks up the suspense, building to a wholly unexpected ending. The story is set in a postapocalyptic world in which the air is unbreathable — or so the authorities say. Ernesto (Sérgio Godinho) does his best to protect his daughter Helena (Mariana Pacheco) and an infant she has just found on the street from the unexpected visit of Colonel Salavisa (Paulo Calatré), who has a vicious streak to him, especially when it comes to those who break his laws. The trio gives a master class in performance, wonderfully captured by cinematographer Tomas Brice. Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse works beautifully as a pure genre cinema effort, but also provides plenty on which to chew philosophically and psychologically.

Mike: Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse by Tiago Pimentel is a visually striking and emotionally resonant film that effectively captures the bleakness and despair of a post-nuclear world within its 20 minute run time.

The film's strength lies in its character-driven narrative. Ernesto is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, portrayed with subtlety and nuance by the talented actor Sérgio Godinho. His internal struggle and moral dilemma are explored with depth and sensitivity, making him a relatable and compelling figure. The film's pacing is deliberate and measured, allowing for moments of quiet reflection and contemplation. The tension between Ernesto and the inspector builds slowly and steadily, not unlike the interrogation scene from Inglourious Basterds, before culminating in a powerful and emotionally charged climax.

While the film's themes of survival, hope, and the human spirit are not entirely original, they are executed with enough skill and conviction that they feel fresh and relevant, resulting in a thought-provoking film.

Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse