In 2021, it has become a heck of a lot easier to imagine what it would be like to live in the middle of a pandemic. As surreal as it might sound, ‘science-fiction’ became reality and there seems to be no end in sight at the moment. It might be a bit too soon to watch films about COVID-19, for many, but that doesn’t mean to say that the idea of an epidemic can’t make for enthralling cinema. Tin Can is an example of how well it can work.
The world is in the grip of Coral, a fast-spreading fungal infestation which is plaguing every continent. Humanity faces a race against time to discover a cure. Fret (Anna Hopkins) is a scientist in Canada working on a way of controlling the outbreak and she’s on the verge of a major breakthrough. She wakes up to find herself trapped inside a life-suspension chamber with no means of escape.
Tin Can has a tantalising premise and for the first hour or so is brilliantly realised. This is largely down to some clever cinematography from Kevin A. Fraser which emphasises the claustrophobia and a great central performance from Hopkins. Director Seth A. Smith’s film thrives when shrouded in a pall of mystery, affording the audience only the occasional hints or glimpses. However, when Tin Can tries to be more expansive things sadly begins to unravel slightly. It still remains an impressive piece of science fiction filmmaking.
Tin Can screened at Celluloid Screams.
