Wolfsbergen

I saw this at the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) and it was definitely a highlight for me.

Do NOT watch this movie when you're looking for something that allows you to "sit back and relax". It's not exactly fast (but, that's not a bad thing in this case!!!) and, if you're used to the action-adventure type movie and are more engaged by action than by other elements of a movie, this may not be your cup of tea.

That said, it is a worthwhile movie to watch. Nanouk Leopold manages to tell a masterful tale and force you to think about death, dying and family relations using her abilities as a director. Little dialogue makes it a film that can easily be enjoyed by Dutch speakers and sub-title readers alike (I suspect, I am bilingual so I can't provide a 100% objective commentary on the experience with subtitles).

This story is really told by the director's unique vision -- if you're able to devote a few brain cells to watching this movie, I would strongly recommend it. It's slow but never seems to drag.

PS the literal translation of wolfsbergen into English is wolf mountains.

Nanouk Leopold lets the images speak for themselves. They are both beautiful and powerful. She leaves out all superficial stuff and goes right to the essence of things. Dialoques are short but meaningful. The actors speak with their body and with the way they look at each other. The angle of the scenes is chosen carefully. There is a mixture of scenes with a slow pace and very short scenes that keeps the attention of the viewer focused. She can tell a lot in a very short scene and she does not shy away from difficult subjects and emotions. Now in only her third movie she proves to be a full grown filmmaker with a very personal style and voice.

I saw this film at TIFF 07 where it was easily the best movie I saw at the festival. It remains one of the best movies I have seen since then. Beautifully paced, it pulls the viewer into its exploration of the various relationships shown that one is left pondering life, the different types of love and family well after leaving the theater. It displays a certain northern European sensibility in how the characters relate to each other, where more is said by what is not said. Subtleties rule the day. This is so refreshing as a contrast to films where everything must be spelled out for the audience.

I have to add that it was also such a delight to hear the director speak after the screening. Articulate and kind - a lovely breath of fresh air!