Right off the bat, I can't really think of a comparable film to The Fate of Cysalion. Although director Blasweiler was an absolutely unknown name to me, he has created something really great with this piece in my eyes. From the brilliant score to a compelling and epic story.
You love the quirky emperor with his dwarves, experience a dramatic transformation of the king's son at close quarters, and although his expressive father, along with the charismatic king's daughter, is terrorised by an assassin order, he never seems to falter as king. Pirates and vagabonds await in numerous places, a small travelling circus can be marvelled at as well as some bare skin at the end of the fantastic film.
Classically, heroes and villains fight each other opulently, but the director also likes to blur who is who. The story takes place partly in different timelines, so there are flashbacks and flash-forwards. In fact, you get several storylines at once, which admittedly requires the utmost attention. Be it the adventure of a mysterious girl and her determined friend, or the story of the heavy burden of a time knight, as well as the truth of the mystical ... oh, I don't want to give too much away.
This German live-action musical is simply different. It is new, so detailed and unusually refreshing! Due to the many great artists, I actually experienced more wow moments than I have in a long time. Humour, creepiness and adventure are so close together without it ever seeming too silly or over the top. Because every now and then the laughter really gets stuck in your throat and you reach for your handkerchief after one or the other twist.
The film music and the sung songs are somewhere between rock music and classical folklore. Sometimes they sound grandiose and epic, sometimes in a gloomy symphonic metal guise and sometimes the music is kitschy and colourful like in the most beautiful Disney musicals. The composer Glembotzki and the makers have really excelled themselves here. Every moment is accompanied by appropriate music. Sometimes loud and booming, then very quiet, so that you can actually hear the birds chirping in the forest.
Although it's a stage musical with film extensions, that's how cinematic it actually feels as a whole. For me, it is already a timeless classic and one of the best fantasy stories of all time, which definitely deserves a Hollywood adaptation!
Note: I was allowed to attend a test screening and can tell you: Be excited and look forward to the world of Cysalion, as well as wonderful duets, mysticism, romance and tragedy. The film will be re-released in 2022 with many new special effects and additional scenes and English subtitles. According to Blasweiler, the complete film will also be released in a karaoke version!
