AA.VV.
28 Days Later - The Soundtrack Album

Nighttime, inside a bus crossing state roads in the Po Valley, bringing a volleyball team home after a trip; I am tired but I can't sleep: the chance is too tempting.

In the headphones, the few notes of the "28 Days Later" soundtrack; outside the window, so much snow it's white enough to reflect the few lights of the night and make everything seem unreal: one thinks of snow and imagines mountains, but there is NOTHING here, only houses scattered around, unreadable road signs, trees with branches bending under the weight of the snow... living souls? not detected.

It all reminds me of The Eternaut, a wonderful graphic novel from the '50s, which begins precisely with a snowfall bringing death and desolation.

Towns with unpronounceable names pass by, and in my ears alternate instrumental, minimalist music, some seem like prayers, complete with an organ accompanying a heartbreaking female voice. If I had to compare the music, I would mention the only song in the movie and not on the album: "East Hastings" by Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Is there room for a shred of hope?

In the movie, it comes at the end (but on the DVD there's a surprise with a double ending...), in the CD as well, and in reality, it's embodied by a German shepherd in a city square, unleashed and jumping madly with the novelty, joy, and happiness.

There's still time before the end of the world.