Memories Alone: A Q2 Fanedit

[Q2]

Coverart by g1orkatsos

Original Titles: The Wrestler / Black Swan
Original Release Dates: 2008 / 2010
Original Run Times: 108 min. / 109 min.

New Title: Memories Alone
Release Date: January 2013
New Run Time: 140 min.

Synopsis: After suffering a heart attack, a washed-up wrestler decides to retire. In searching for what's next, he tries courting an exotic dancer while rekindling a relationship with his estranged daughter, a ballerina who has just landed the lead role in Swan Lake. Now she must explore a darkness within her to achieve perfection in playing both swan queens.

"Memories Alone" tells parallel stories of a father at the end of his professional career and a daughter at the beginning of hers.

Intention: After seeing "Black Swan" it occurred to me how similar its story was to that of "The Wrestler". I decided to see what could be done by merging the two stories into a single film.


Special Thanks: Thanks to Neglify and g1orkatsos for their feedback on this project. (They were subjected to two scenes in particular at least a dozen times.) Their feedback was invaluable.

Special Features: Fanedit Trailers

Release Details: DVD-5 (SD), 720p MKV, BD-25 (HD)

 

[Gatos]

Well I just finished watching this. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

I'm a fan of most of Aronofsky's work and enjoyed both The Wrestler and Black Swan. So I went into this fanedit knowing Q2's intention but at the same time not being sure what to expect. Overall I really enjoyed this edit. Some really great choices in terms of how the story goes back and forth between the two characters. Definitely worth checking out.

Reveal message

Last 7-10 minute sequence was fan-fucking-tastic.

 

[Q2]

Gracias. I'm happy you enjoyed it!

 

[TV's Frink]

Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

 

[Brumous]

Spectacular, harrowing, sublime. In one corner we have the The Wrestler, the friendly fighter, the yang, the profane. In the facing corner we have the Black Swan, the neurotic artiste, the yin, the sacred. The two stories grapple and merge, the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

You'll be surprised how many parallels and echoes the two movies have. Darren Aronofsky would be surprised. Q2 has found them all, shuffled them together, the one story refracting and amplifying the other, back and forth, around and around. The two leading characters are worlds apart but they have a believable psychological link. This isn't how a "real" movie would put them together, and you never forget it's a fan mix you're watching, still the creative power is undeniable.

Technical qualities are perfect. Menu and extras are minimal. Concur with Neglify the 140 minute run time feels a little long, on the other hand I've got no suggestion what to cut. Each character goes through a full arc of rise and fall, reaching out and pulling back. Q2 gives the stories room to breathe while cutting big parts from each movie. The wrestler is more of a loner, the swan's world is more dangerous, in both stories the tension is cranked up. Memories Alone is a knock down drag out, come prepared.

 

[Adabisi]

I can't say much without repeating what the other reviewers said. This edit is perfect and easily replaces both originals for me. Well done, Q2.

 

[Fansome]

Stoked to watch this. I previewed the DVD just now and my girlfriend will freak if she sees that Northwest Passage trailer. Trying to nab that one as well. ;-)