A brightly-colored fantasy tale revolved around dreams, treated with horror elements. It's strange, hypnotically bizarre, emotional, heartwarming, a lot spookier than anticipated, a completely fun ride from start to finish. It is a delight to even look at! The color palette and visuals of this film are the strongest aspects but the narrative is pretty decent as well. I'm obsessed with the colorful and imaginative set design, costumes, and stop motions. The concept is also very unique and original. It’s certainly an odd film that's comfortable in its own absurdity. Not only does it stick to it, but it does it in a way that feels natural and organic to the world it has created. I love the characters and it perfectly portrays the emotions desired. It's just so beautiful that there are some scenes that's just on loop in my mind right now. I definitely recommend.

[Americana FF'22] The directors admit influences by David Lynch, but this trip to the world of dreams seems closer to the visions of Michel Gondry or Jan Švankmajer. A story without a story that uses the character's imagination to display an infinite creative capacity that surprises at every moment. Cinematographer Tyler Davis does a clever job of establishing the gradually narrowing gap between dreams and reality.

Didn't click for me like Silvio and The Beast Pageant. Despite imaginative world building and very pretty presentation, the narrative is just not up to par. For me, the harder it tried, it ended up feeling forced and unoriginal and (ironically) lost in its own glossy packaging while criticizing consumerism and marketing etc you know. It's like where the two aforementioned movies knew and cleverly toyed with their scope, Strawberry Mansion takes itself much too seriously as being the most quirky indie ever. If I were to put it overly harsh, it becomes too pretentious as pop, too smug as camp and too superficial as art. Yeah, sorry, it just didn't work for me. I'm bumping it up to a six because damn there are some really neat arty elements to it that make me warm and fuzzy despite having to force myself to keep up interest towards the end.

Fever dream city. I’m amazed on what they were able to do with a $200k budget. It’s a fantastical love story that’s full of adventure and bizarre scenes. The government is putting ads in people’s dreams and Bella schemes to unwind it. The synthesizer score immediately pulls you in and intensifies the strangeness. The struggle to find Bella’s intentions builds up some great tension in the first act. Penny Fuller is good as Bella but Grace Glowicki is even better as young Bella. Her innocent demeanor makes the emotional moments hit that much harder. Preble is good as the lead but he benefits a lot from circumstances and crazy effects. It’s a really messy movie with simple themes. I would tell you about it but I’m stoned and it really is like a dream so I forgot most of it. Also I have amnesia. I admittedly didn’t sniff enough glue to get fully immersed but I still had a hell of a time. There is a wide range of effects used although it’s quite messy at times. I see the filmmakers took inspiration from the great Frank Herbert as Preble becomes a mini Shai-Hulud to make his way home to Bella ❤