CHARLES DE LAUZIRIKA’S CRAVE: An Arrow Straight to the Heart
By Marybel Gervais
(translated by Adam Abouaccar)

The film world is a hard one to break into. When the opportunity presents itself, do not be afraid to dive in and grab hold of it with both hands. This is what documentarian Charles de Lauzirika did when he heard the story concocted by Robert Lawton. Out of their eventual meeting came a script. Not just any script. A really good, consistent piece of meat that leaves no one hungry. Cleverly flirting with the theme of the dreams of an ordinary man, Crave enables us to become aware of the banality of our own lives and the sometimes laughable means we employ in an effort to escape it. This is a screening that will likely rattle your world when coupled with this hopeless discovery.

This is Charles De Lauzirika’s first feature-length narrative film, but his career thus far would leave many speechless. Concurrent with his studies in film, he worked for large companies, including Warner Bros., Lucasfilm Ltd. and Lightstorm entertainment. Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiatior, Prometheus) enlisted him to design several special edition DVDs for his classic films. Other directors (Sam Raimi, Robert Rodriguez, David Lynch, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) made him similar offers as a result of the accolades and awards he has received for his fine work. He was also responsible for the restoration of many renowned films. He has directed commercials, a few short films and a music video in the early 90s, but it would be in the documentary style that he would find his niche: over a period of ten years, he has amassed about sixty credits as a director. This is a lot for just one man. Crave may be his first attempt at a feature length narrative, but the fact remains that de Lauzirika has extensive experience in the field.

His story unfolds in Detroit. Aiden (Australian-born actor Josh Lawson) makes his living as a crime scene photographer, a business that he finds both bitter and demoralizing. Without family, friends or very many hobbies, his pain is palpable. His job adds one more nail to his coffin as his life seems boring and unrespectable. Though he would love to gather the strength necessary to change the course of his existence, he simply can’t. His only escape from his world of monotony is his imagination. To each of his daily annoyances, he adds a hint of fantasy. It spices up his boring moments with sensuality and raw violence. His tricks work for a while but a meeting with his young neighbour will change everything. The line separating his fantasies from reality will become increasingly blurred. Will he be able to control his impulses and keep his life on track?

It’s to be expected that in studying the work of the masters, Lauzirika has absorbed the concepts necessary to piece together the elements of a good film. The way in which he conveys the protagonist’s emotions as well as his ability to create the right atmosphere for a given scene are incredibly affective. The discomfort and emptiness felt by Aiden incontestably gets to us. The actor’s excellent performance accentuates this affect. His aura still persists after the film is long over. The suffering and loneliness that radiate from the images of Crave burrow their way into the depths of your being. It shows the utter pain of living that we all feel at one time or another in our lives. I’m willing to bet that despite the number of people you know in the room watching the film with you, as you leave the cinema, you will feel somewhere deep inside of you a small sense that you are alone.

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Watch the trailer.

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CRAVE has its world premiere on July 24th at 21:55 in J.A. De Sève theater with director Charles de Lazirika and actor Josh Lawson in attendance. More info on this film HERE.