The State Of Siege (L’État de siège) is a show by Albert Camus, and directed by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota.  

And it took me to a place where there was ominous music, dark scenery and strange romance.

But for others, it gave them a long, fulfilling nap.

To summarize the story, it is of a young couple living in a small town. A comet falls into the peaceful area and the village is plagued by a literal plague by a guy called Plague. And his deadly secretary Death (whose powers is the original Death Note- writing a name in the book has the victim fall in unavoidable death).

People are dropping dead due to Death (Plague’s ever helpful secretary), and in trying to find ways to live, the civilians find themselves trapped in a system with no escape. Main character sacrifices himself to free the villagers, and leaves love interest alive as she will be the one to lead the people in rebuilding.

Let’s break this down. Review time!

Romance? Eh. In the ending it serves as creating a tearful farewell to main character, as he slowly dies. Otherwise, the relationship was a whole lot of confessing love, but no one explaining why they love each other. It’s love but with an empty shell.

Visually?  It was a treat. The usage of the Black Plague masks was interesting, implying the Plague to be rather literally. But a bit confusing since the people died by Death’s touch and notebook, but it’s suspected to represent people’s paranoia, fighting against a war they cannot win. A plastic floor was used in having actors make entrances. There was a screen dropped when Death and main character confronted each other; however the purpose for this was made unclear.

Also, the French dialogue usage has been commented (by the New York Times) to be weakened in translation, which is a shame. The speeches made could be said to be interesting yet as they were long, even in English it’s goes in one ear and out the other.

Interesting? Yes, definitely. And while it reminded me of the lesson that politics are restricting, and it’s up to the people to rise up, it’s only what I said. A reminder and there’s this dissatisfaction of really learning nothing new.