Primer (2004): $7,000 sci-fi film that I don't understand but love anyway

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For those not in the know, it's a time travel film from 2004 that was made for only $7,000 but went on to win the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. It is also a total mindfuck that, despite having watched the movie about five times now, I still don't really get. (But I'm certain that the fault lies with me and not with the story. And I'm certain that, even though I can't quite figure it out, the movie is brilliant.)

Anyone here seen it?



 
I saw it, enjoyed it, and also was confused by it.

Needs another viewing at least.
 
I wanted to watch this, but forgot the name. Thanks TS.
 
The Clamburglar said:
I saw it, enjoyed it, and also was confused by it.

Needs another viewing at least.
Click to expand...

When it first came out, I had a brief obsession with the film. I remember renting it and over about a three day period I watched it twice, and then gave it a third go around with the director's commentary on. I've always been interested in making a film, so the fact that these guys made something of such quality for only $7,000 was amazing to me and it served as an inspiration.

I watched it again a few nights ago. It was my first viewing since 2004, I think. I still don't understand it.
 
Count me in the people who weirdly enjoyed it even though I didn't know wtf was going on. Couldn't even make out when they were time travelling. Def need to rewatch.
 
I saw it back when i was in college. I remember discovering it around 05 or 06 at the local record store that had a DVD Area. I bought so many cheap dvds from there, and one was primer.

Took me two watches to get it all. It was very crunchy. I enjoyed it especially knowing how low budget it was. I remember seeing the director/actor mouth the word cut at the end of a scene.

It was very clever.
 
Speaking of Primer...

Check out the director's other film, Upstream Color. Very good and thought provoking as well
 
jeicex said:
I saw it back when i was in college. I remember discovering it around 05 or 06 at the local record store that had a DVD Area. I bought so many cheap dvds from there, and one was primer.

Took me two watches to get it all. It was very crunchy. I enjoyed it especially knowing how low budget it was. I remember seeing the director/actor mouth the word cut at the end of a scene.

It was very clever.
Click to expand...

Ha, really? I don't think I caught that.

The backstory on the movie is really interesting. Like, MiniDV was the hot thing then for indie filmmakers on a budget, but he insisted on shooting 16mm film. So he got film as cheaply as he possibly could and then shot almost no coverage. He had the film pre-edited in his head and only shot what was essential to put that film together. The fact that he was able to shoot a feature on film for only $7K is crazy.

BTW, not sure if you're aware, but he eventually made another movie. It took him 9 years, mostly because he was trying--but ultimately failed--to get another, bigger budgeted project off the ground called A Topiary. I haven't watched it yet, but it's on Netflix.


 
Joseph Budden said:
Speaking of Primer...

Check out the director's other film, Upstream Color. Very good and thought provoking as well
Click to expand...

I was just posting about that.

I haven't watch UC yet but I've been aware of it since it came out. Been meaning to sit down for it but the trailer looks very abstract.
 
saw it, didnt like it, didnt understand it because there's nothing to understand. its an intentionally confusing movie that makes no sense.

i saw upstream color as well. i wouldnt say i understood that one either, but at least that one had the possibility for some logical flow that i was missing. primer was just a clusterfuck of nonsense to me.
 
Saw it during its theatrical run and once more after it. Total mindfuck and I didn't fully grasp it after two viewings. Still a good movie and one I'd like to revisit as its been quite some time.
 
I watched it once and my DVR cut off the end. The weird thing is that I don't know if I missed 45 minutes or 2 minutes. Just that kind of movie.
 
odog said:
I watched it once and my DVR cut off the end. The weird thing is that I don't know if I missed 45 minutes or 2 minutes. Just that kind of movie.
Click to expand...

Ha, indeed.

Well if you ever want to find out, it's on Netflix right now.
 
lol if you still cant figure out Primer.
here, just use this simple chart.
VACTBSE.jpg

so simple even your grandma will get it.
 
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