4.5; Vivarium unfolds a shuddering picture of the modern atomisation and sterilisation of human life, designed to be a replica of nature yet is entirely isolated from nature. Its conscious depiction of the unknown and unknowable avian creatures observing, mimicking and studying human behaviours as though they were but subjects, manages to defamiliarise the quotidian modern life and enable the audience to see and live it in terror. Projecting itself as amplifications of day-to-day life, Vivarium is a frightening, disturbing piece that gives you the shivers; as a film it showcases how to create deeply horrifying experiences for the audience using minimalistic locale and personae. #Mayhem2019