Paul Greengrass Delivers a Harrowing,Immersive Account of the 2018 Camp Fire in “The Lost Bus“
Toronto,ON – Paul Greengrass,renowned for his unflinching and immersive filmmaking (“United 93,” “captain Phillips”),doesn’t offer entertainment with his latest,”The Lost Bus.” Rather, he delivers a visceral, exhausting, and deeply unsettling experience that plunges viewers directly into the heart of the 2018 Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California history. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival,the film is less a narrative and more a sustained,anxiety-inducing simulation of unimaginable terror.
The film immediately establishes a sense of unease, opening in media res with a school bus making its morning rounds. Greengrass masterfully amplifies the everyday dangers – children without seatbelts, a vehicle overdue for maintenance – hinting at the fragility of safety before the inferno even begins. This tension quickly escalates, and rarely relents over the film’s two-plus hour runtime.
“The Lost Bus” doesn’t shy away from the horrific reality of the Camp Fire, which claimed 85 lives and destroyed over 13,500 homes. Greengrass aims to convey the sheer terror experienced by those caught in the blaze, and the film succeeds in that goal with brutal efficiency. He utilizes his full directorial arsenal, creating a relentlessly immersive experience that feels, at times, like a harrowing theme park ride – one many viewers might desperately want to exit. As Greengrass himself wryly noted to the audience before the premiere, “enjoy” might not be the appropriate word.
While the film’s intensity is undeniably effective, its relentless nature occasionally borders on numbing. The smoky chaos and overwhelming sensory overload sometimes make it difficult to fully process the unfolding events, leading to moments of disorientation. However, this disorientation arguably mirrors the experience of being in the fire, adding another layer of authenticity to the film’s harrowing depiction.
Despite a slightly weaker script co-written with Brad Ingelsby (“Mare of Easttown”), Greengrass’s directorial prowess remains firmly in control. “The Lost Bus” is a stark and sobering reminder of the escalating wildfire crisis facing california – and a chilling premonition of what the future may hold. It’s a difficult watch, but a vital one, forcing audiences to confront the terrifying reality of a world increasingly vulnerable to the forces of nature.
Watch the Official Trailer: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/XSDHjkuwaic?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed
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Keywords: Paul Greengrass, The Lost Bus, camp Fire, California Wildfires, Toronto Film Festival, Disaster Movie, Film Review, 2
