Watch Sleep Furiously

Sleep Furiously is a 2008 documentary film directed by Gideon Koppel. The film explores the lives of the people living in the remote Welsh farming community of Trefeurig. The title of the film refers to Noam Chomsky's famous phrase to describe a sentence that is grammatically correct but semantically meaningless. The film depicts the daily life of the residents of Trefeurig through a series of observational vignettes. Koppel captures the rhythms of the rural community, from the local school bus picking up children in the morning to sheep being herded across the hillsides. The film also delves into the intimate moments of the people who live in Trefeurig, such as a woman sewing her husband's work clothes or a couple singing in the local church choir.

As the film progresses, a sense of melancholy creeps in as the realities of life in a small town begin to emerge. The town's primary school is threatened with closure due to a lack of funding, and the future of the community as a whole appears uncertain. Despite this grim backdrop, the people of Trefeurig remain tightly knit and fiercely independent. They refuse to let their community fade away quietly into the night.

The film is shot beautifully, with an attention to detail that reveals the unique character of each scene. Koppel has a gift for capturing the passage of time, from the slow progression of the seasons to the fleeting moments between people. He uses his camera to illuminate both the beauty and the hardship of rural life, creating a rich tapestry that immerses the viewer in the world of Trefeurig.

In addition to the stunning visuals, Sleep Furiously is scored with a haunting and evocative score from Aphex Twin. The music adds an ethereal quality to the film that enhances its dreamlike quality. It is fitting for a movie that takes its name from an esoteric linguistic concept.

What makes Sleep Furiously exceptional, however, is its humanity. Koppel never loses sight of the fact that this is a film about people - people who love, laugh, and suffer like anyone else. He manages to capture both the universal qualities of the human experience and the specific quirks that make Trefeurig such a unique place.

That being said, Sleep Furiously is not a film for everyone. It is slow-paced and meditative, and some viewers may find it too abstract or detached. But for those willing to immerse themselves in its world, it offers a moving and poignant portrayal of a community that is at once timeless and fragile.

In summary, Sleep Furiously is a powerful work of documentary filmmaking that captures the essence of a unique rural community in Wales. Through its careful observations and painterly visuals, it illuminates both the beauty and the hardship of life in Trefeurig. It is a film that reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in the face of adversity.