This is a fantastic film debut for Erik Blomberg the director. The cinematography is stunning, turning the barren snow covered landscape into a mystical, beautiful land of mystery. It is the story of a young woman who feels her new marriage needs a little extra and goes to a shaman to get it but ends up with more than bargained for when the prescribed sacrifice goes wrong and she becomes an irresistible temptresses who also transforms into a white reindeer… and a supernatural killer.
This killing spree leads to her being accused of witchcraft and she is chased by the village men leading to a sad end at the hands of her husband.
This film is considered folk horror and I suppose that is as good a des as any. It also shows many of us a way of life alien and fascinating as the Finnish actors get around in skies and sleds and live in a world of perpetual snow and cold while living life to the fullest. Prita the doomed woman is a force of nature, skilled and strong and full of life. There is a real sense of companionship and love between her and her husband, making the events of the film more tragic. The folklore presented is a welcome breath if cold fresh air that doesn’t have any of the tropes of what we might traditionally think of as Gothic or folkloric horror.
Another one I've never heard of which sounds interesting. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt really was but this is the second Finnish film i watched in the original language with no subtitles. Do i speak finnish? Nope!
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