In 1940, Martha and Thomasina have created LOLA, a machine capable of intercepting radio and TV broadcasts from the future. What starts as a fun way to discover future musical trends quickly becomes a tool in the war against the Nazis.
As a genre, found footage is generally something that applies better to horror. However, in Andrew Legge’s feature debut, LOLA, the blend of time travel, sci-fi and Nazi fighting works wonders in this capacity. An opening title card explains to us that 16mm film has been found, and what we are about to watch is said film. The setup is around the start of the Second World War. Nazis have started an offensive across Europe, Churchill is prominent in the media, and sisters Martha and Thomasina live a life of seclusion with their groundbreaking invention LOLA. Using LOLA’s ability to transmit radio and TV frequencies from the future, our two protagonists have built up a small fortune betting on horse racing, allowing them to fund a fairly comfortable lifestyle. This draws a comparison to a certain Sports Almanac seen in the 1980s, and straight away you begin to wonder about possible repercussions that are around the corner for the sisters.
When the goal for Thomasina changes from discovering Bowie and Dylan to stopping potential Nazi attacks on the UK, the stakes are raised, and the sisters become unknown heroes to the towns and cities which they save. This however leads to the army making them a person of interest and using their invention for official purposes. To say any more past this point would give away far too much in an 80-minute movie, but there are elements of the great Philip K Dick which certainly feel like an inspiration.
With quite a small cast, the central performances take on even more importance. In Stefanie Martini and Emma Appleton, LOLA has two incredible leads. As Martha, Martini shines when the focus appears to be on happier times, her love of the music to come adding warmth to her depiction. However, as the drama begins to unfold in the second half, Appleton as Thomasina steals the limelight. Her determination to land a blow on the Nazi forces sends her in to a spiral of paranoia and obsession which leads to disastrous consequences.
LOLA is a new and interesting take on found footage and an intriguing look at the nature of choice and consequence.
Signature Entertainment presents LOLA in Cinemas 7th April
Andy’s Archive – LOLA (2022)
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