The surreal images instantly grab the viewer during the opening frames of the compelling and disturbing futuristic film “Dreamquil.”
The family drama is the work of first-time director Alex Prager, who is an acclaimed photographer. Prager, who grew up in Los Feliz, and splits time between her hometown and Malibu, became serious about photography a generation ago when she started shooting in Downtown Los Angeles.
“That’s funny that mentioned Downtown LA since that takes me back to the first time I picked up a camera,” Prager said last month at Austin’s South By Southwest prior to the world premiere of “Dreamquil,” “I would shoot down there all the time. I would take black and white photographs. I remember having this exhibit back then and it was all black and white photos from downtown and just one color photo.”
Prager, 46, was inspired to become a photographer after experiencing an exhibition of William Eggleston’s photographs at the Getty Museum. Prager became known for making large-scale photographic works that distort the boundaries between reality and artifice.
Prager and her sister, Vanessa Prager, co-wrote the “Dreamquil” script, which looks at the not too-distant future but also nods to such films as “The Stepford Wives” and “Westworld.”
“We both care very deeply about what’s happening in the world,” Prager said. “I love working with my sister. She has a dark sense of humor. We’ve written a few scripts before and we had such an amazing time working on this script.”
“Dreamquil” focuses on a nuclear family that is fraying. Elizabeth Banks portrays Carol, a driven real estate agent, who is focused on making partner. Her husband Gary, played by John C. Reilly, is a laid-back English teacher who wishes his wife spent more time with him and their prepubescent son, Quentin, played by Toby Larsen.
“Dreamquil” is Prager’s initial project as a writer-director.
(Dreamquil/Submitted)
After being hit with a number of ads for Dreamquil, a therapy that features a fresh start, Carol learns that her best friend swears by it. So Carol leaves home, which is in a world where the air is unbreathable, for her treatment. She’s replaced by a robot, who quickly endears herself to Gary and Quentin. When Carol returns she is understandably upset by her doppelganger.
Banks laughed when asked about playing the dual roles. “That was a fun acting challenge,” Banks said in Austin. “I got to see myself with a better body, shinier hair, shinier lips and a version of me that’s never tired. Despite all that, I’m glad it’s not me.”
The elegant Banks excels as the unsatisfied Carol and as the robot. “It was a challenge,” Banks said. “I didn’t study any actors who played double roles.”
Reilly impresses as the family man, who hopes for more from his wife.
“You can feel the humanity every time a line comes out of John’s mouth,” Prager said. “The constant reminder of humanity was needed. The other thing is that John and Elizabeth elevate every scene they’re in.”
Banks, Cate Blanchett and Bryce Dallas Howard have been featured in Prager’s short films. “Dreamquil” is Prager’s initial project as a writer-director. “Alex is such a visual storyteller,” Banks said. “She creates her own world.”
Prager accomplishes just that in a hazy Los Angeles where folks stay inside. Carol, Gary and Quentin live in a sterile high-rise apartment. Is Prager presenting what’s ahead in the City of Angels?
“We’ll see what the future is for Los Angeles,” Prager said. “Los Angeles is a city that’s constantly changing. Look at how much things have changed since the wildfires. Los Angeles is in constant transition. I love Los Angeles. It’s such an inspiring place.”