Dystopia Animated

The characteristic choir of Vincent Gallo and Juliette Lewis appear from the advance characters in “Metropia” but accommodate no comfort: Tarik Saleh’s dystopian eyes of a depleted, smog-engulfed, financially burst Europe in the year 2024 seems a blow too abutting to home. In any case, the absolute brilliant actuality is the film’s eerily abashing animation, a digitally manipulated photomontage that makes anybody attending about animal — in a heavily medicated, genetically doubtable affectionate of way.

The film’s batty centerpiece is Roger (wonderfully accurate by Mr. Gallo), a Swedish call-center artisan captivated by suspicions. His adherent may be cheating, his thoughts may be monitored, and the government-mandated alms arrangement may be allotment of a adverse all-embracing conspiracy. A dandruff-shampoo archetypal and the bellybutton of a Hello Kitty baby will comedy acute roles in Roger’s (if not the audience’s) bit-by-bit enlightenment; if alone the articulation in his arch would stop cogent him what to do.

With nods to Orwell, Kafka and the assignment of Terry Gilliam (particularly “Brazil”), Mr. Saleh, a above graffiti artist, paints the adeptness of announcement and the omnipotence of multinationals in cavern hues. Moldy greens and black grays covering the screen; saucer-eyed faces float in the black of underground apartment and tunnels. Visually and conceptually oppressive, the blur is a seamless bout of anatomy and content. But that actual synchronicity is additionally its capital problem, advance a near-tyrannical authority on atmosphere and airless the film’s adeptness to move.

Technically avant-garde but narratively moribund, “Metropia” is all antithesis and shadows. Perhaps Mr. Saleh could accept listened to a lighter voice.

METROPIA

Opens on Wednesday in Manhattan.

Directed by Tarik Saleh; accounting by Mr. Saleh, Stig Larsson and Fredrik Edin; action director, Christian Ryltenius; advance animator, Isak Gjertsen; music by Krister Linder; art director, Martin Hultman; produced by Kristina Aberg; appear by Tribeca Film. At the Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, at Laight Street. Running time: 1 hour 20 minutes. This blur is not rated.

WITH THE VOICES OF: Vincent Gallo (Roger), Stellan Skarsgard (Ralph), Udo Kier (Ivan Bahn), Alexander Skarsgard (Stefan) and Juliette Lewis (Nina).