Watch Arabian Nights: Volume 1, The Restless One

Arabian Nights: Volume 1, The Restless One is an epic drama film from 2015, directed by Miguel Gomes. The film is inspired by the stories from One Thousand and One Nights, and it's the first of a trilogy of films that aim to capture the spirit of modern-day Portugal. The movie's plot revolves around the economic and social crises in Portugal in the early 2010s. The film opens with the framing story of Scheherazade, who is played by Crista Alfaiate, a young woman who tells stories to her husband, the king, to keep him from killing her. Scheherazade is used as a vehicle to introduce a series of stories that are woven together to create a larger narrative that deals with the current situation in Portugal.

The film takes a poetic and surreal approach to storytelling, using a mix of genres such as comedy, drama, and fantasy, to create a tapestry of interconnected stories. Some of these stories revolve around characters such as Paddleman, a boatman who becomes a hero after he saves a group of illegal immigrants from drowning. Another story features a group of industrial workers who go on strike to protest their working conditions.

Throughout the film, there are also several surreal and fantastical elements that add to the magical quality of the storytelling. For example, a rooster that can predict the future becomes a prominent symbol of the economic crisis. The use of symbolism and allegory is an effective way to comment on the reality of the situation in Portugal, without getting bogged down in a didactic narrative.

The film is shot in an unconventional style, using long takes and naturalistic lighting to create a sense of realism. The camera work is often handheld, which gives the impression that we are observing the characters in real-time. The film's use of color is also striking, with bold and bright colors often used to draw attention to specific elements in the story.

Arabian Nights: Volume 1, The Restless One is a movie that explores the themes of class struggle, corruption, and human relationships, using the framework of Scheherazade's storytelling. Throughout the film, there is a sense that the stories are not just isolated incidents but are interconnected, forming a larger tapestry of human experience.

One of the film's most impressive features is its use of music, which helps to create the film's magical and hypnotic atmosphere. The film features a mix of modern and traditional Portuguese music, which helps to create a vibrant soundscape that immerses the viewer in the story.

In terms of performances, the film features a strong cast, with Crista Alfaiate delivering an outstanding performance as Scheherazade. Miguel Gomes, who also directed the film, is equally impressive as a storyteller, with his use of visual metaphors and symbolism enhancing the film's overall impact.

Overall, Arabian Nights: Volume 1, The Restless One is a stunning and ambitious film that manages to blend fantasy and reality to great effect. The film's interwoven stories are both engaging and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on Portuguese society in the early 2010s. The film's unconventional style may not be to everyone's taste, but those who appreciate poetic and surreal storytelling will find much to admire here.

Arabian Nights: Volume 1, The Restless One is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 80.