Movie: Ink

This is the first of two posts about movies that did not receive theatrical release, but are still managing to find audiences.

The first movie is Ink.



Ink is a very nice example of a modern fairly tale. This is not an old tale re-envisioned, but instead it has its own mythos, or at least relies on fairly obscure folklore. It is unafraid to mix some vaguely technological elements (like the creepy TV screened incubi) with more traditional fairy tale tropes (the child stealing ogre and the blind fool). It presents its concept of how the world works with little initial exposition. I could present a succinct and non-end-spoiling plot summary, but I think that would do the film injustice. Ink is at its most charming when its not working too hard to tell an exact story.

Unfortunately, the most prevalent problem with fairly tales is that, they're pretty simple. The title character of Ink goes on his journey and, as he is accompanied and pursued, he learns about himself as a character along with the audience. While the movie is not preachy, it does end in an inevitable moral lesson.

The film-making is very good if taken within a certain context. Ink has several very distinct looks for its different worlds. The effects are cheaply done, but not necessarily cheap looking. I would not wish for this movie to have better effects, but I also can't see that it could have ever been a "big screen" movie. I'm not sure if it comes down to lack of polish exactly, but for me, Ink is a very fine TV movie. Not more than that.

Still, Ink has a certain Terry Gilliam aspects to it, and is a better use of an hour and forty-five minutes than the likes of Gilliam's Brothers Grimm.

Ink was not picked up for theatrical distribution. Instead Double Edge Films went truly independent, releasing the film on DVD and Blu-Ray and marketing for sale directly from their website and for rent from various retailers. They've also embraced the "give-it-away" strategy. The video is currently available on Hulu, and Double Edge's website urges free viewer (whether through Hulu or other means) to contribute.