Saturday Special: Division 19 [Film]

“In the future, prisons have been turned into online portals where paying subscribers get to vote on what felons eat, watch, wear and who they fight. Panopticon TV is so successful it is about to be rolled out to a whole new town. When the world’s most downloaded felon escapes, the authorities set a trap to reel him in. The bait is his little brother who has so far managed to avoid detection.” – Uncork’d Entertainment

******

Division 19 is a highly stylized film that takes place in yet another Orwellian or Harry Turtledove live setting, but of course has it’s own twist when considering the most recent political and human climate in which we are currently living in. The idea within the story that the an experiment in control is first conducted on the enslaved of a nation, before releasing the idea onto the common public is a commonplace, yet god damned frightening, idea that we have seen time and time before. But I dare say that Division 19 hits this idea in a truly unique fashion with a smattering of suspense and is overall an incredibly smart thriller and is brilliant production that stands out in its own right. The film touches less than delicately on the idea that we are constantly de-valuing human life as a whole, so much so that true chaos is becoming more and more likely to be a real problem that we all have to admit to being destructive and demoralizing. The idea that we may pay money to control a human life who is trapped in a jail cell seems so far fetched on the surface. But, really think about it. The concept may not be as foreign as you would once think. While the situations are literal within the film, the actual message behind what is happening within Division 19 is highly figurative, and truly original. I can not recommend this film to you all enough, especially if you are dystopia nut who is looking for the next best visual representation of what could happen if we continue down the path we are on.

Division 19 was derived from the brilliant mind of Suzie Halewood, who absolutely nailed it visually, and wrote and even more impressive story to know and love. And the cast of the film is absolutely top notch, which happens to include our friend of TWS, Will Rothhaar, as well as legendary screen actor Clarke Peters of The Wire and Treme acclaim. Other notable figures within the cast has to be the always incredible Alison Doody. The list goes on and on. Toby Hemingway, Mandy‘s Linus Roache, just so many greats to be seen. Overall, it is an incredible story that is as visually stimulating as it is just an overall enthralling concept. And with a wide selection of wonderful performances to enjoy, there really is just so damn much to love here.

Division 19 will be in theaters on April 5th at the following theaters, as well as on VOD:

– LA: Laemmle Music Hall
– Chicago: AMC South Barrington 24
– Atlanta: AMC Southlake Pavilion 24
– Dallas: AMC Grapevine Mills 30
– Houston: AMC Gulf Pointe 30
– Cleveland: Tower City Cinemas
– San Francisco: AMC Deer Valley Stadium 16
– Philadelphia: PFS Roxy Theater
– Phoenix: AMC Arizona Center 24
– Detroit: AMC Fairlane 21

Check out the trailer for Division 19 right here: