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Trance

Trance (2002)

Catherine Leoni is a connoisseur of the illusionary arts. She learned her craft from her grandfather, Henry Santorini, a master magician with a disgraced past. Now in search of the fine line between reality and magic, she travels to Death Valley with her gangster husband Robert to meet Taylor Black, a mysterious magician who is about to replicate Santorini’s ruinous past. Adding to the mystery is Wally, who claims he can smell ectoplasm, and Robert’s hit man Bongo. Under Black’s power, Catherine is forced to make a choice…find her own power or succumb to the TRANCE and the seduction of magic. This was the Best Fantasy Feature winner at the New York International Independent Film Festival yet remains obscure.

Directed by Gary Orona

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Gary Orona
Producer
  • Gary Orona
  • Tane McClure

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Thematic Analysis

This Horror/Drama/Fantasy/Comedy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Trance presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Gary Orona brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2002, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Trance took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 87 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 128 minutes long.
  • The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The costume department created over 416 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 2002, when this film is released:
  • The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
  • Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
  • Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.

How This Film Stands Out

While Trance shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike The Gnome-Mobile, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Trance subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Bio Zombie and ExTerminators explore similar territory, Trance stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: July 1, 2002
  • Runtime: 1h 27m

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