'A Vanishing Fog' is a drama with elements of mystery and at times even science fiction. The story revolves around F, a solitary young man who lives in and protects the mountains and ecosystem around him, whilst at the same time taking care of his ailing father. With the onslaught of violence and facing isolation in the mountains, F plans his escape.
The film follows F as he wanders the Paramo of Sumpaz, exploring and intermittently facing violent forces of aggression, invading and devastating the fragile ecosystem. At home he takes care of his father Colombo, who is unable to carry out basic everyday tasks. Limited by his options, F is shown to live a quiet and taxing life, as his duties towards his father tie him to his family home and force him to remain there.
At the same time, F is shown to explore his surroundings, the few people he comes across and spending time in prayer. In private, the young man is depicted in exploring his sexuality, at times seemingly overburdened with overwhelming feelings of curiosity and passion. Looking to his future, F is also working on a vehicle in plans of leaving his home. On learning that he can sell his land, F bids farewell to his father as he leaves him unattended by a lake, resulting in his drowning. After selling out, F is shown ecstatic, as he celebrates his freedom and ability to move on.
‘A Vanishing Fog’ is a compelling exploration of isolation, duty and an unquenchable urge for freedom. F is presented as a downtrodden individual, shackled to his home due to having take care of his father and in having to protect his land. The film scarcely uses dialogue, rather relying on the main character to tell us his story purely through his actions.
Even though the film is reserved by way of exchanges and has little by way of a narrative, the movie remains compelling, - as we follow F and his struggles, we are transported to a far away land, with the stunning visuals of the main character's surroundings evoking a sense of wonder, and fear of its destruction as we watch F run for his life in wake of brutal and terrifying bombings.
At times, the film transcends our world and further evokes a sense of another planet as F wanders the paramo, delving deep into its mystical and beautiful tundra. With a sharp cut back to reality, the film can make the viewer realise that we are in fact back on Earth and the ecosystem is something that needs to be safeguarded.
The mystical elements of the story serve well to aid us in coming to terms with F sending off his father, as Colombo is show ascending an escalator up to the clouds. With a deeply touching farewell scene, the film explores grief in a manner not too sentimental, yet deeply impactful.
The main character is portrayed by Sebastian Pii, who delivers a crushing performance as the character swings from a quiet and saddened son, to a frightened and downtrodden mountain man as he evades the attacks on the paramo. Pii doesn’t only evoke sympathy due to his taxing duties, but also shows us his curious side as he contemplates and explores his sexual urges. At times saddening, the finale shows F to have achieved his goal, yet a note of disheartenment remains, as he leaves behind the place that may have needed him most.
‘A Vanishing Fog’ is a visually stunning and compelling exploration of one man’s endeavours towards independence and achieving the freedom to forge his own path in life. Accompanied by the burden of having to take care of his father and his duties as a watchman, a sense of disappointment and regret remain after F is able to leave his home, - for even although he is free, he leaves behind his identity and home. Quiet yet compelling, ‘A Vanishing Fog’ mystifies and draws the viewer in, maintaining a sense of curiosity about what is to come next even if the narrative is loose and at times scattered.
Score: 3/4
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