‘To The Night’ Trailer: Caleb Landry Jones Suffers From PTSD & Michael Haneke Consults Dramaturgically

The first trailer for “To the Night” has a lot going for it and is full of disjointed imagery that makes the basic plot difficult to pin down. However, through it all, we’re left with a couple thoughts. First, this film, which has its premiere at the upcoming Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, looks great and the trailer is full of images that could be paintings. But the second thought we have has nothing to do with the actual content of the film itself, but with the production. Why the hell is Michael Haneke listed as the “Dramaturgical Consultant?”

Before we tackle Haneke’s involvement in the film, let’s talk about what we actually can tell you about “To the Night.” The film stars Caleb Landry Jones, who is probably best known for his roles in “Get Out” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” but has also shown up in “The Florida Project” and “American Made.” Needless to say, Jones is an actor on the rise and has already amassed a pretty spectacular IMDB. “To the Night” follows Jones, who plays an artist suffering from severe PTSD after he watched a fire ravage his home as a child, as he attempts to pick up the pieces of his life, particularly with his girlfriend and their son.

That alone is enough to make most people interested in the film. However, we have to come back to this Haneke situation. For those that don’t know, Michael Haneke is the director of films like “Funny Games,” “The White Ribbon,” and “Amour.” He’s a legend in the industry. But “To the Night” is written and directed by Peter Brunner, best known for his film “Those Who Fall Have Wings.” While Brunner is known as a protege of Haneke, it’s odd to have another filmmaker listed as a consultant and with such high billing. Does this mean that Haneke was pseudo-directing behind Brunner? Or is he nothing more than a glorified producer? Either way, as we learn more about the movie, this will be something that we hope is expanded on.

As we mentioned, “To the Night” is set to premiere Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Hopefully, we’ll see worldwide distribution soon.

Here’s the synopsis:

Norman has never come to terms with the fire that, in his childhood, took away all those closest to him. His inner sorrow and feelings of guilt prevent him from starting a new life with his girlfriend and son. Although the fire took everything, it now becomes a path to dealing with his trauma. Gifted director Peter Brunner ramps up the near physical intensity of the viewer’s experience via the thoughtful use of unspoken hints and images, which assail the associative processes of the subconscious rather than the rational mind. Filmed on-location in New York City and starring the captivating Caleb Landry Jones, the story presents one man’s desire for a life unburdened by trauma, but while doing so it offers up a spectacular and brutally intimate study of a wounded individual.