I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The synopsis of this film is that four vulnerable young adults flee London to start an unconventional life in the country and find their very own Utopia. They have not all met before either so this has all the hallmarks of being interesting. Now I can't say any more than that without revealing parts of the plot – needless to say this has a few issues which I will deal with next – but please do not read if you do not want any reveals. Plot Spoilers aheadThe film explores how they decide to explore this alternative lifestyle and this is basically by having acting and improv workshops as a prelude to a free for all in the bedrooms. They have rules too to underscore that there, effectively, will be no rules. They are also dyed in the wool upper middle class as nothing practical is covered at all. The food seems to magically appear – but they do have a rota for the terribly leaden part of life that is the cooking.There is a spark of interest when an outsider comes a calling and the apple cart looks like it may be upset, but this is a 'bridge' for a tune that is basically all more of the same.Now this has received mixed critics reviews – some are very favourable indeed but user reviews tend to be less applauding and I am leaning towards those. There is a lot of nudity here too and simulated sex as well as 'self pleasuring'. If that is meant to be indicative of Utopia – all well and good – but cinematically and even artistically it is as new an idea as having a 'twist' in a thriller – unless of course you are doing 'art house porn'. And we all know that means it is just porn with more subtle lighting and untidy pubic hair.So all in all a bit of a miss – I did watch the whole thing but was left non plussed by the experience. I could still see a lot to merit here – cinematography for example – and the acting was very good indeed. However, as an ensemble piece it barely passes muster so only go for it if you really are a massive fan of the auteur art house scene and a good bottle of wine to aid your viewing digestion.

An artsy fartsy attempt at 'film making' and acting. Unfortunately it is mostly 'fartsy imagery and actors at playtime' wrapped around a thread bare story or rather plot as there really isn't a story to be found.So here's the deal - four beautifully young people, two girls and two boys, escape to the English countryside to live together in an 'open relationship' type arrangement. There are sure to be bruised ego's and they are too young to realize this. But they get a fair warning from one of the girls ex-boyfriend who shows up to hopefully convince her to leave with him because he can see the dead end to this life style. She doesn't leave. Plus it's interesting that a pudgy ugly guy was cast as the realist while the idealist dreamers are quite lovely to see.By movies end you will be quite bored with these four shenanigans and touchy feely daily life style. They are pretty to see but the viewer is left with an empty plot and no direction. Then it's over. Pretty much a 'so-what big-deal' flick that will keep you marginally entertained.

I saw this film at the Film Fest Ghent 2014, where it was part of the section Global Cinema. To state my lack of appreciation upfront: I cannot find anything positive in this movie. The outset is not clear, and does not become clearer later on. Only those who have read the synopsis before, have a bit of a clue what it is all about. The evening games and their underlying rules remain unclear as well. Even more unclear is the purpose of the (home made) coffin that is set alight, a ritual that we see in the beginning with a repeat later on. Only one scene was interesting, viz. when a 5th person arrived (an ex-boyfriend). Much to his regret his ex-partner announced that she was much happier than ever before. Alas, the potential drama faltered and he left shortly after.I only understand half of the title. The word Hide seems a reference to being away from "normal" civilization. Nevertheless, I'm surprised about the amount of "bourgeois" stuff they obviously had available in that remote cottage, for example given the Christmas related attributes which they showed in much more variety than I ever had. Further, the word Seek is completely lost on me, be it that it may refer to finding a new future in living your life. This second part of the title promises that there is a message, a conclusion or even a morale, but I found neither.The 4 actors (plus 1 for a short time) did their best, and worked believable through their respective roles. Neither got the opportunity to reveal much of their background and expectations. And neither is there any drama on the table, except (see above) in one isolated case (which failed). They cannot show their strengths on those fields, but I don't think that is their fault altogether. In the final Q&A the question was raised how much of the action was improvised and what was rehearsed. Apart from that it was a bit of both, I did not hear a clear answer. So what is left to admire?? I observe only pretenses that this film will provoke thoughts about your own life as it is (but it failed miserably for me). Possibly I'm not the appropriate target group??

Just saw this feature half an hour ago on the Film Festival in Gent, Belgium, the director and one of the actresses being present (Lea). It was a moving experience, creating an ambiance that reminded me in some way of the melancholic, playful ambiance in Bertolucci's The Dreamers: young people exploring life and each other in a tender, fragile and endlessly creative way, in some kind of idyllic, timeless place. The audience was really moved after the film, and both the director & the actress were cheered and answered the numerous questions with pleasure. I can't wait to see more of this director; I thoroughly enjoyed her creativity, and the stunning improvisations by the actors.