The basic plot of Somnus is simple: a child-like creature is unhappy in her environment, and as a result, finds herself withdrawing from those around her. This withdrawal is illustrated by her unnatural curling inward, which plagues the child throughout the film.

She finds solace and refuge in her dreams, within which she stands upright, confident and curious. Her parent, worried at the apparent unhappiness and unnatural "curling" symptoms of the child, takes her to a creature of higher authority. This creature, which acts as a sort of doctor, attempts to force the girl back into expected conformity, and vainly tries to "correct" her problem.

The doctor is not seen as a benevolent or compassionate individual; rather, he is portrayed as a veritable monster that employs unnatural and painful methods to force the girl from the sanctuary of her unconscious. With these efforts remaining fruitless, the worried, yet uncomprehending parent, surrenders her daughter to what one may consider a hospital, or even asylum.

The film ends with a shot of the girl asleep and completely deformed in the corner of her room. The passage of time is illustrated by the dramatic change in the length of the girl's hair, a fast-forward approach which illustrates that the child had remained in the world of her dreams long enough for her hair to grow more than three times her size, spiraling around her lone form in the corner of her room.



© 2006 Katya Ivask & Ryan Scatenato