THE INCIDENT is, without a doubt, one of the most original, unique films spawned from Mexico in several years! It has become a cult masterpiece, not only in Mexico, but all around the world, where it has been shown in the most important film festivals. My kudos to Isaac Ezban, the writer/producer/director, since this was his first feature film, and his skills in the sci-fi genre are outstanding! It has been compared with Inception, Solaris and the work of Richard Kelly and Shane Carruth. Watch out for Ezban, he has the big weight of being the only auteur in Mexico devoted to film sci-fi in all its glory! You can say what you want about THE INCIDENT, but one things is certain: you cannot feel indifferent or detached from the story. It is powerful, mind-bending and truly emotional...

The incident marks a before and an after in the modern Mexican cinema. For a long time I had to wait to see her and I finally had the opportunity to witness such a masterpiece. A story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the beginning, and as it progresses it becomes increasingly incredible.Full of incredible performances that keep you in suspense, an incredible soundtrack that complements everything that happens on the screen. An ending that will make you feel the need to see her again. The best movie I've seen this year, and to be honest I can say it is also one of the best I've seen in my life. I can not wait to see his next film. The incident definitely becomes a movie that every science fiction fan should see.

Rod Serling once wrote "It has been said that God created the Heaven and Earth, but it's up to each individual to create their own personal or private Hell". Well, not necessarily, as we find out in this truly incredible film debut by writer/director Isaac Ezban's epic stunner "El Incidente". The film starts out with a striking image of a very old woman near death. She's still in her wedding dress, holding a small red book, while riding an escalator to an unknown origin in the future (just a foreshadow of what's to come). It's followed by a sequence where we see an endless ocean, railroad track, road, stairway, and finally hallway. This acts as a road map by Ezban for us to follow on his journey into a universe of his own creation, and what a glorious journey it is! There are 2 separate yet connected stories for us to follow, both fragmented, non linear narratives involving a family about to venture on a road trip, and a detective's successful chase of 2 petty thieves on a stairway of an apartment building. In both scenes, we witness multiple incidents, both involving a death, a human sacrifice of sorts. The detective shoots one of the criminals while on the stairs- yet claims it wasn't his doing, and the father of a blended family gets lost, while his step daughter suffers a severe asthma attack for which he assumes much of the blame. Both groups hear an explosion shortly after each incident occurs, and both find themselves frozen in space and isolated from the rest of the world. While the family on the road keep passing the same landmarks over and over again, the Cop and 2 criminals discover an endless loop of repeated floors of the building in which they are trapped. There is much more to both stories, and yes, they are connected. There is a conversation between brothers in one's dying moments on the stairway which prove essential to the films theme. We now jump 35 years into the futureAct 2 on the staircase contains the films most creative and fascinating images. A vending machine that automatically fills up with food at will, a mural of fascinating drawings on the walls listing the number of days since the incident occured, a bizarre religious ritual involving paper bags, a collection of empty plastic water bottles that contain...well.. (that's a secret) and the most beautiful images of food ever captured on film since Antonioni's "Zabriske Point". The way the characters adapted to their new stairway home over the years with what little they had was both incredible as well as creative. The relationship between characters grew. ( Ezban and set designer Adelle Achar used a lot of imagination in highlighting this fascinating and original segment) Act 2 of the family on the road could have used a bit more development and imagination. Still, in all fairness, it was realistic and true to the story. The father and son are alive, but remain quite distant. The mother is catatonic and soon dies, and the little girl has long been deceased. They have not adapted to their surroundings nearly as well. A revelation soon occurs in both stories, and some warnings as well.What I noticed as a viewer is whether these characters were trapped in very close quarters or expansive terrain, Ezban's world is always beautiful. It saturates one's senses with wonder, and challenges our imagination. In the modern day fabricated world of CGI, Ezban manages to capture his world and unique visions with just a camera lens. Raul Mendez was terrific as the lead actor. I'd like to see more of his films.In critiquing cinema, as in our regular lives, it seems we make our choices based on subjective impulse, and live by these choices as though we grasped an "absolute truth", but mystery remains at the heart of everything. Fans of mystery enjoy figuring out the unknown and are often frustrated when the process seems like an exercise in futility, (as one might experience here). But solving this mystery makes one ravenous for next. In contrast, an encounter with the unsolvable leaves us deliciously humble. Thus, rather than solve all the mystery of this film, or understand its logic, enjoy the experience as a world created by Ezban, meant to be explored and embellished. Look to its metaphors. As stated- the words of the conversation between brothers on the stairway in act one is crucial to the theme. I wish Ezban would remake this in America and allow me to help write the screenplay. I believe understanding the meaning would have not left people scratching their heads. There is something lost in translation here. The dialogue between brothers was crucial and not emphasized enough.This film is an existential look at one's life. When we are young, our imagination and energy seem limitless. We can't wait to grow up to adulthood, not knowing the added responsibilities, obligations, and sociological standards we must conform to. In the end, we wish we could return to our childhood with a new found perspective and sense of wisdom- that being, to not rush thru the most sacred time of our lives, only to sacrifice our innocence along the way. This film is all about that passage of time and the choices we make. It is a reminder that wasted time is time we never get back, and not staying active by living life to its fullest will only lead to our self destruction. This is a film that needs to be experienced, because words alone could not possibly do it justice. I'll sum up by saying It was easily one of the most fascinating films I've ever seen in a long time. An amazing Journey. I'm sure most people will say this review isn't "helpful", but how can it be without my spoiling it? Is this world ready for Isaac Ezban? There is a definitive answer to that question. YES.

Upon his debut, Isaac Ezban's magnum opus "The Incident", dares to reveal the fearful mental machinery in which we find ourselves trapped in each and every one of the stages of life. Its almost as if, with absolutely no control, a supernatural force would require to produce energy by means of a factory of repetitive patterns, that provides for movement in our actual life, and where the only way out is to keep going..."The Incident" outlines the possibilities we are constantly provided, to chose whether or not to make use of the resources that such factory provides for us, in order to achieve more enabling stories that reflect a better energy for real life, and therefore better life stories, notwithstanding the fact that there will always remain limits to creation, to old age...Brilliant, challenging, crude, creative, and with sound imagery that is perfectly aligned with the emotional experience generated by the story behind "The Incident", reminding us of the inevitable returns of who we really are, and the challenging yet intoxicating temptation to change...I highly recommend it!!