Watch Faeryville

Faeryville is a 2014 science fiction movie written and directed by Tzang Merwyn Tong. The movie is set in a fictional town called Faeryville, which is a utopian society built on the principles of meritocracy, self-determination, and communal living. The lead characters are four high school students who find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict between the government and a rebel group. The movie is a satirical commentary on contemporary youth culture, authoritarianism, and the consequences of an increasingly interconnected world.

The movie opens with a statement that "It is the near future, and we have given up on society." This sets the tone for a world that looks like a dystopia but is not quite there. It is a world where ubiquitous cameras, social media, and internet have made privacy an illusion. The town of Faeryville is built on the principles of meritocracy, self-determination, and communal living. The government has made it mandatory for all high school students to live on-campus as part of their education.

The central characters are four high school students: Harpy (played by Lyon Sim), a rebellious artist who keeps running afoul of the school authorities; Sors (played by Aaron Samuel Yong), a geeky hacker who longs for a world beyond Faeryville's walls; Faith (played by Tanya Graham), a transfer student from Connecticut who is a target of bullying and harassment; and Bone (played by Jae Leung), a new student who has a mysterious past.

The four students get involved in a larger conflict when they learn about a rebel group that is fighting for freedom of expression and against the government's restrictive policies. The government has created an AI program called the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) that spies on the students and regulates their behavior. Harpy, Sors, Faith and Bone decide to join the rebels after running afoul of the school authorities and finding themselves at odds with TOP.

The second half of the movie is a series of cat-and-mouse games between the government and the rebels. The government unleashes its resources to track down the rebels, while the students use their ingenuity and technology to outsmart the authorities. The movie also delves into the secrets of the town and the past lives of the lead characters.

The movie's strength lies in its critical look at modern youth culture and social media. The movie satirizes the overuse of social media, surveillance culture, and how it affects the psyche of young people. The movie touches upon themes such as government control, individuality, and freedom of expression.

The characters in the movie are well fleshed out, and the performances by the lead actors are commendable. Lyon Sim's portrayal of Harpy steals the show with his quirky attitude and rebellious nature. Aaron Samuel Yong's portrayal of Sors is equally impressive, as he brings the geek persona to life. Tanya Graham, who plays Faith, is excellent in conveying the innocence and vulnerability of her character. Jae Leung, who plays Bone, adds an air of intrigue to the movie, and his character's background adds an extra layer of depth to the story.

The pacing of the movie is slow at times, and the story may take a while to get to its climax, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The movie takes its time to explore the conflicts and the characters, which adds to its depth. The cinematography and production design add to the movie's atmospheric feel, and the musical score complements the tone of the film.

In conclusion, Faeryville is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that manages to be fun and serious at the same time. The movie may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy movies that explore social issues, dystopian themes, and contemporary youth culture, then Faeryville is worth watching.