A glimpse into the future: ‘The Assessment’ challenges societal norms
In the realm of cinema, few genres captivate the imagination quite like psychological sci-fi thrillers. One such film, The Assessment, is set to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, promising to leave audiences both intrigued and unsettled. Starring Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel, this film delves into a dystopian future where the state controls who gets to have children.
The premise: A society under scrutiny
In The Assessment, Olsen and Patel portray a couple yearning to start a family. However, they live in a world where procreation is not a personal choice but a privilege granted by the state. To earn this right, they must undergo a rigorous and invasive evaluation conducted by an assessor, played by Alicia Vikander. Over seven intense days, the couple faces a series of probing questions and simulations designed to test their suitability as parents.
The assessor’s role: A catalyst for chaos
Vikander’s character is pivotal, orchestrating the couple’s ordeal with a mix of detachment and intensity. Her presence forces the couple to confront their deepest fears and desires, often pushing them to the brink of absurdity. The film’s director, Fleur Fortuné, aims to evoke a sense of discomfort in the audience, mirroring the characters’ own unease.
“Making people feel uncomfortable is really gratifying,” Olsen remarked during an interview. “We should all be uncomfortable.”
Behind the scenes: A personal journey
Fortuné’s inspiration for The Assessment stems from her own experiences with fertility struggles. Having undergone IVF and numerous tests, she found the process both challenging and surreal. This personal connection to the subject matter adds a layer of authenticity to the film’s narrative.
“I was in the process of trying to have kids for four years. I had to go through IVF and lots of tests — to the point where it was kind of absurd,” Fortuné shared. “That’s when a producer sent me a script. I felt pretty deeply about the idea of a future where you’d test a couple for a week to decide if they can have kids.”
The actors’ perspective: Embracing the absurd
For Vikander, stepping into the role of the assessor required a fearless approach. The script’s more outlandish scenes demanded a willingness to embrace the absurdity and find truth within it.
“I had to be quite fearless stepping on set. At a certain point, I just had to let go,” Vikander explained. “The good thing is that you can get inspiration from your own life. I felt like I got to go through a journey of discovering myself in different ages, which was very interesting.”
Patel echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in their performances.
“We can only play the truth of it. It is what it is. It is absurd what we’re going through, but we can only focus on being truthful,” Patel added.
A bonding experience: Filming in remote locations
The production of The Assessment took the cast to various remote locations in Germany and Spain. This isolation fostered a unique camaraderie among the actors, who spent their days off bonding rather than retreating to their private lives.
“On films where you shoot in remote locations, people on the weekends [tend to] go off to their private lives because they’re exhausted or want that time alone,” Olsen noted. “We just kept gravitating towards one another. It doesn’t happen all the time. I found it was incredibly comforting and special.”
Reflecting on modern issues: Reproductive rights
The Assessment is not just a work of fiction; it also serves as a commentary on contemporary issues surrounding reproductive rights. Fortuné draws parallels between the film’s dystopian setting and real-world debates on bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.
“It’s quite interesting because it’s close to what we see today in many countries. Not only U.S. but everywhere… the absurdity and paradox of wanting to control a woman’s body and people’s rights, but at the same time being selfish about our own existence,” Fortuné observed. “Because if you want kids, you want them to have a great future — and we are not working that way.”
Watch the trailer
For those eager to dive into this thought-provoking film, the trailer for The Assessment is available here.
The Assessment promises to be a compelling exploration of societal norms, personal desires, and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their dreams. As the film makes its debut, it invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of parenthood and the ethical dilemmas that come with it.