Rubber Takes Road Movies To New Level

What would you do if you were a car tyre that, somehow, suddenly came to life and discovered you had psychic powers? Why, use them to kill people, of course! At least, that's what Robert, the cylinder of rubber in question, decides after becoming coherent and spotting a bunch of humans cruelly burning a pile of his brethren. Determined to get revenge for his fallen comrades, Robert bounces off around the desert and learns how to get to grips with manoeuvring his circular body – as well as, of course, his bizarre psychic powers.

If it isn't hard enough to swallow the idea that a tyre – commonly seen in fours underneath most average cars – can wheel around of its own accord, the suggestion that it can not only think but manipulate its thoughts into psychic energy powerful enough to blow off the head of the closest human will be even less palatable, but there it is. Perhaps it's a little easier to deal with once you learn that this isn't Hollywood's latest blockbuster but, in fact, a small indie flick by French director Quentin Dupieux, who is also a music producer.

The film is set to premier in Cannes so it's difficult to tell much more about it – particularly whether or not it has a point. Could it be an environmental message a la

The Happening, where Mother Nature suddenly fights back and turns against humanity in punishment for our heartless pillaging of the land? Maybe, but you'd hardly think nature's tool of choice would be a manmade tool for transport. Perhaps it's a warning against waste – after all, Robert's rage is incited by the pile of burning tyres that inspires him to rail against humanity by popping open their heads just as they cruelly exploded his could-be friends and family. Stop wasting resources before resources waste you, it cries. Or maybe we should just avoid roaming around the desert because your average dangers like snakes, coyotes and dying of thirst are small time threats now.

In any case, Rubber is getting a lot of attention and is probably one of those films that is strange enough to pique our interest into watching it.

It may end up being the film of the year, raking in millions at the box office and exceeding that when it hits home viewing with viewers tuning in on HD TV . Whatever happens, you may never look at your car's four wheels the same way – and don't forget the spare in the back, whatever you do!

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