Styx

Styx, released in 2018, is a poignant, thought-provoking film that captures the essence of humanity in the face of harsh realities and irresistible tides of fate. Directed by Wolfgang Fischer, the film features Susanne Wolff as the protagonist, Rike, a tenacious, formidable woman whose strength is put to the ultimate test. Alongside her are Gedion Oduor Wekesa and Kelvin Mutuku Ndinda who share the volatile circumstances that make Styx a poignant reflection on the human condition.

The narrative revolves around Rike (Susanne Wolff), an emergency medical doctor from Germany who decides to utilize her much-deserved vacation to sail alone from Gibraltar to Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. As an experienced sailor, Rike has faith in her abilities and is prepared for the demands of the journey. However, she is challenged with circumstances beyond her control and training when she encounters an overcrowded, dilapidated ship brimming with refugees near the coast of Africa.

Her safety and solitary existence are suddenly juxtaposed against the face of a severe humanitarian crisis. The film elegantly depicts her efforts to come to terms with the tragic situation, her limited options, and the weighty moral dilemma she faces. The clash between her knowledge as a medical doctor equipped to help and her inability to intervene effectively in such an overwhelming crisis paints a stark picture in the film.

The performances are engrossing, with Susanne Wolff's portrayal of Rike as a mix of stoicism and emotional turmoil driving the film's narrative tension. Wolff wonderfully embodies the character's strength, resilience, frustration, and burgeoning desperation as the story unfolds. Gedion Oduor Wekesa and Kelvin Mutuku Ndinda deliver compelling performances as well, humanizing the faceless mass of refugees desperate for aid.

Despite the limiting solitude of the setting, the film encompasses a vast exploration of human distress, the right to immigrate, and the duty to help thy neighbor in perilous situations. Styx floored audiences with its minimalist yet evocative storyline, its timely political relevance, and its uncompromising confrontation of real-world issues.

Enriched by a cinematographic style that beautifully captures the vastness of the ocean and the isolation of the protagonist, Styx creates a feeling of aching solitude and chilling magnitude of the narrative. The crisp visuals and the ceaseless sound of the sea immerse the viewer in the heart of the action, further enhancing the film’s oppressive tension and emphasizing the pivotal role of the environment in the plot's development.

The film certainly forces its audience to question the extent of their humanity and what it means to be a global citizen. Styx delivers a sharp critique of apathy and lack of collective responsibility towards global humanitarian crises, implicitly questioning the attitudes of nations and individuals who choose to sideline the reality of people in dire need.

The title, derived from Greek mythology, where the river Styx is known as the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, resonates deeply with its symbolic theatrical plot. It stands as a poignant metaphor to the suffocating borders and the murky waters that refugees often find themselves in, highlighting the harsh realities of immigration and refugees' pressing issues in the modern world.

Through its examination of one woman's moral quandary against a backdrop of pressing socio-political issues, Styx presents a bleak but necessary portrayal of the human condition, unflinching in its depiction of realities that are too often overlooked.

Far from an easy watch, Styx is a film designed to leave you thinking, designed to question our stance on the world's plight and our role within it. It's a narrative that’s both personal and global in its scope, drawing on deeply resonant themes and delivering a story with a powerful emotional impact.

Amid its breathtaking visuals and compelling performances, the film is an unforgettable journey into the very heart of humanity, a sobering reminder of the complexities of the world we live in, and an implicit call for compassion, responsibility, and action.