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The premise for Act of God was based on the narratives of real people in different parts of the world who had experienced being hit by lightening or had the indirect experience of close friends or family who had been hit.
The film was very creatively constructed, including several real clips of storms and others that were simulated, but non the less very effectively portrayed. The narratives were painful, introspective and very real. Director, Jennifer Baichwal and creative partner Nick De Pencier merged several different perspectives and angels to make this documentary far more interesting than just a scientific account of the mechanics and effects of electrical storms. They included brain analysis research on electrical impulses during random musical improvisations by composer Fred Frith, which was rather informative, but not exactly relevant to the overall purpose of the film.
The film created an underlying tone of mystery and awe by depicting a variety of historical social perspectives on storms, including religious backgrounds of Catholocism and Ifa, personifying lightening as a deity of anger or retribution. Although, this should have been yet one perspective, the religious element did dominate the film in such a way as to make it more of a spiritually defined occurrence rather than just a physical one. All of the living participants in the film recounted that such an occurrence had a profound and life changing effect on them and their loved ones to the point that they would never be the same, emotionally.
I believe the filmmakers’ intent was to leave the mystery wide open as to the why, where and who would be hit by these overwhelming electrical sparks from the sky. Very stunning imagery and diverse creative content made this an enjoyable film to watch, regardless of the severe and sad topic it explored.
by Eryn Vogn
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