Movie Review: Bigoli Bang

Bigoli Bang is a film that belongs to the dystopian science fiction genre. The plot is as simple as it is effective: a structure located somewhere in the north of Italy (Veneto) houses migrants without residence permits. These migrants, however, do not come from another place but from another time. Why have they arrived? Their presence disrupts the fragile existential balance of our era, raising a series of questions—existential before political—that are not easy to resolve.

They are housed (or perhaps guarded? Imprisoned? Confined?) in an old factory that feels like a cross between a prison and a sanatorium.

Bigoli Bang is a bizarre yet successful film that explores a topic long worn out by kilometers (or perhaps light-years) of cinematic attempts. Many of these works, in most cases, fail to bring anything meaningful to the table. This film, however, tackles the theme in an unusual and original way, with a plot that faintly recalls a classic of 1970s science fiction literature (Escape from the Future by Clifford D. Simak).

The work benefits from a well-written screenplay and a bold—very bold—direction that eschews any narcissistic desire to stand out. Instead, it prioritizes the effectiveness of storytelling, embracing a classic narrative approach.

Professional actors (such as Edward J. Bentley) share the stage with amateur actors or non-actors. The result is unique and largely successful because, in several instances, this choice enhances the sense of disorientation—a slight vertigo—that the audience feels throughout the film.

Jérôme Walter Gueguen (director, screenwriter, and producer) emerges as an intriguing talent. He is an auteur who boldly follows his own path with courage and determination. Bigoli Bang is a singular and necessary work that fills a void in Italian cinema. We sincerely hope to see more films with this level of bravery and insight at the Sipontum Arthouse International Film Festival and beyond.

The film appears to be inspired by (or at least loosely related to) a classic of 1970s science fiction, Escape from the Future by Clifford D. Simak. However, the connection to the novel ends at the basic plot. The story of these temporal migrants has been updated to reflect today’s world—a world with less solidarity and more barriers. These individuals, who come not from another place but another time, find themselves confined in a space that all too closely resembles a concentration camp. This sets the stage for a plot that nods to The Terminator (an inspector from the future is searching for a particular traveler, though we won’t give away too much to avoid spoilers).

Ultimately, Bigoli Bang is a courageous and largely successful attempt to create science fiction without any of the typical science fiction elements, much in the style of Tarkovsky’s Stalker. Made with skill and care, the film holds the viewer’s interest until the very end. Perhaps too original to be immediately understood, it requires time to settle in the eyes and spirit of the viewer.

This is a deeply compelling film and a brave step forward for science fiction cinema. It deserves recognition not only for its bold storytelling but also for its innovative approach to a well-worn genre. You can view the trailer of Bigoli Bang HERE

The film itself will be launching for all to see in 2025.

By Vincent Totaro