When a young orphan Jeanne, played by Clara Pacini, flees her foster home, she finds herself drawn into the enigmatic universe of a movie studio basement. Here, within Lucile Hadžihalilović’s chilling dark fantasy "The Ice Tower," she forms an odd attraction towards the production and its star, Marion Cotillard's character Cristina Van Der Berg. The standout element subtly presented in the film is the uncanny mirroring of the script they are shooting, "The Snow Queen."
Having previously collaborated on 2004’s "Innocence," this is not the first venture of Hadžihalilović and Cotillard playing with delicate themes like child socialization and the macabre rituals they embody. However, "The Ice Tower" introduces an interesting twist with Jeanne making a bold escape from the confines of her Alpine foster home, presenting her with an opportunity to exercise her newfound freedom.
Despite having memorized "The Snow Queen," Jeanne's connection with cinema is ambiguously portrayed. She is depicted as mesmerised by the glimmers of the film projector, yet whether she has ever seen a film or understands the concept of celebrity remains unclear. The film casts a captivating spell, especially as Jeanne begins to sneak into daily filming sessions, unraveling what the camera captures.
"The Ice Tower" omits crucial information about Jeanne's prior exposure to cinema, which becomes a questionable gray area in the narrative. The film could have explored the active audience-oriented nature of stage rehearsals instead. However, the mystery surrounding her relationship with cinema underlines the film's overarching theme of the dark side of cinema.
Pacini's portrayal of Jeanne as a naïve observer absorbing this unfamiliar world is appealing, and her innocence plays a significant role in her interactions. Yet, she doesn't completely stray into naivety, showcasing a knack for navigating delicate situations such as identifying dubious characters or understanding complex sub-scenes involving administering injections to the film's star.
Casting Oscar-winner Cotillard as a cold and distant celebrity figure appears antithetical to her generally sensitive on-screen presence. Despite this, Cotillard succeeds in embracing this deviation, right up to the film's highly distressing ending where she tries to manipulate Jeanne.
As the movie progresses, Hadžihalilović masterfully uses her signature style of prolonging scenes to an almost hypnotizing effect. Complemented by a tinkling score, glistening lights, and intriguing set designs, "The Ice Tower" emerges as an absorbing journey into the labyrinthine world of a sinister movie studio.
