Zirneklis

The film opens with Freudian quote, highlighting the repressed sexuality as the source of fear and neurosis. The terror element in this film enters slowly, the development takes its time, small clues present themselves. From sexual innocence to sexual experience, and all the terrors and wonders that accompany that journey are represented in gorgeous, fantastical ways. This is a really wonderful movie, totally gorgeous and endlessly intriguing. The images that director Vasili Mass packs into the frame will stick with you long afterwards, dreamlike and meaningful and sinister and beautiful all at the same time. Aurelija Anuzhite as Vita is absolutely perfect, playful and childlike while at the same time achingly, sexually gorgeous. Highly recommended for the fans of Jaromil Jires, Jean Rollins, Hans W. Geißendorfer, Tadeusz Konwicki, Walerian Borowczyk, Kaneto Shindo, Frantisek Vlacil, and Juraj Herz.

The film starts with Freudian quote, talking about the repressed sexuality as the source of fear and neurosis.

Vita lives a secluded life with her mother and attends religious school. But her exceptional beauty, youth and purity won't go amiss, the renown painter gets interested in her and asks her pastor and spiritual guide to let him use her as model for Virgin Mary. Vita agrees to this, not knowing the artist is a dangerous and perverted man with sinister intentions. There's something dark and unsettling about the painter, and Vita will learn pretty soon the full extent of his fascination, he wants her body and he wants to corrupt her soul. He will haunt her in her dreams and stalk her relentlessly, there's something demonic about this guy. He is almost non human.

Of course, painter's obsession aside, this brief encounter awakens something in Vita, she starts fantasizing and experiencing sexual urges, so this is sort of coming of age story. Having been raised in religious environment, this is all so new for Vita, and she's confused and scared, but she gets some pleasure out of strange sexual nightmares. The most prominent one is the sexual encounter with the big spider, as the title suggests, and this will become light motive here. Soon, the film sets the stage for battle of wills between the strange man and priest, a war for Vita's soul.

What strikes me as interesting in all this is apparent ambiguity Vita displays, she doesn't seem scared although she keeps saying it, she doesn't seem a tortured soul although the painter relentlessly haunts her. She's happy go lucky, always with a big smile, very jovial, flirting with men she meets, but all in a very casual – 'unaware' – manner. As if she's completely aware of the effect her youth and beauty have on men, and as if she's not ashamed of her blooming sexuality. Which is, of course, in total contrast with her upbringing and strict family – we might call this film a sexploitation in many aspects.

I was pleasantly surprised with cinematography, the camera work and photography is at times exceptional and captures the mood perfectly. Breathtakingly beautiful main actress plays a big part in all this, she's a sight for sore eyes and as such perfect for the role. Outdoor shots – nature, cliffs, seaside, forest, castles and monastery – all very arty, breathe decadence and in the best tradition of Jean Rollin's typical settings or Andrzej Zulawski's early films with the touch of body horror in parts. Recommended, if you can locate it.

Zirknelis is an intriguing erotic horror film from Latvia (at the tail end of the USSR's existence).

The film is a Freudian exploration of repressed sexual desires...in the sense that they are associated with deep seeded fears, that lie at the heart of our subconscious. The

In it, we follow a beautiful young woman- named Vita- who is chosen to sit as a model, for the Virgin Mary in a depiction of the ascension, by a creepy old artist...whose work is laden with scenes of bdsm.

But, because she is just a student- and not a model, by trade- it is her first time being thrust into a situation where she is out of her element.

As the artist broods over her in a domineering position.

Exploiting her vulnerability to the point of coercion.

An act which triggers her deepest, darkest, fantasies to take over.

One painting, in particular, seems to dominate her nightmares.

The painting of a naked woman who is being caressed by a giant spider.

Amidst her fantasies, the spider manifests in a rather literal form.

Though, it clearly acts as a representation of the artist, himself.

Who has had a hypnotic effect on her.

This begins to transform her from pure innocence, to general deviance...as she becomes more aware that she is the object of the male gaze.

A role that she starts to embrace more and more, while her fantasies take an increasingly dark turn.

Particularly in her dreams.

Though, also in reality, as the wild child inside her starts to let loose.

Which only acts to pit the men, who have become transfixed on her, against each other.

The whole thing is an artsy indulgence in the pain in pleasure, and the pleasure in pain.

With the film being a bit of a slow burner, driven, mostly, by drama...but with a pretty explosive conclusion I wasn't, at all, expecting.

It's actually a pretty great film, though...that I'm surprised isn't more well known.

Because it has similar vibes as does Zulawski's Possession.

And the actress playing Vita really is stunning.

With their being lots of nudity too, of course.

It certainly is weird...but I really enjoyed it.

7.5 out of 10.

I like this movie, its different but makes total sense. The artist that follows the girl, if he wasn't in it all the way thru then this movie wouldn't make near as much sense. The spider was effective, for the time. Its an intriguing film. i found it in a bargain books catalog for those who are having problems finding it.

Aurelija Anuzhite is Vita, a young woman chosen by a local artist to pose as the Virgin Mary for a painting of the Annunciation. A priest at her parish has commissioned him for the project.

Vita travels to his studio and sees his paintings come to life with all sorts of grotesque imagery, many involving spiders.

Later on at home, the nightmares continue with the artist transforming into a gigantic spider. Vita is sexually assaulted by the creature. Her mother becomes concerned by her daughter's strange behavior and sends her to her sister's house which is next to a castle.

Aurelija is stunning but her constant posing reminded me of the retro shampoo commercials with the model twirling around in slow motion.

Nothing scary here and like watching paint dry.