Katalin Varga

Having already seen and very much enjoyed this director's Berberian Sound Studio and prior to seeing his latest, The Duke Of Burgundy, decided to check out this, his first feature. Glad I did, seems it didn't get a theatrical release in UK, which is a travesty. Great little film, very focused, very intense, with a stunning central performance from Hilda Peter. Problems in her village prompt her to take off with her son and traverse the Carpathians and maybe exorcise her devils. Always very good to look at, this also has what has become a Strickland trademark, amazing score. The tinkling cowbells, echoing across the fields or the creak of the horse and cart carrying them both find their way unobtrusively into the score. Always engrossing, the central sequence where the main character explains graphically what happened to her as their boat slowly spins on a lake is spellbinding and so very effective. Excellent.

I missed this first time round and am so glad I caught up with it at an afternoon showing at a local independent cinema. Even more encouraging was that I expected to be the only person there but, although only a smattering of people (in a large auditorium), there were enough to create an atmosphere (that may be in my head but hopefully some people will get what I mean). So, transfixed by Hilda Peter from the outset, the film moved beautifully through dreamy countryside as the revelation of a hidden secret drove Katalin and her son away from their marital home. The menacing undertone haunted their journey to remote villages, the audience waiting for the inevitable vengeance to erupt. The nature of the film and its brutal climax prompted something I love to see as the credits rolled. No one moved or spoke. If the audience is out of their seats the second the picture fades I feel either they're relieved the film has finished or have weak bladders or a drink problem. Katalin Varga was successful in conquering the audience, an endorsement of its quality. See it.

Obviously filmmaker Strickland has a special interest in women's world. Hilda Péter is simply brilliant as the strong willed woman, giving it a mythical inner power and carries the whole show. Shot in 17 days, the movie has the stamp of a genius inspiration. I think it would easily be considered masterpiece in case it was part of a grander philosophical undertaking.

When the husband of the eponymous Katalin Varga learns that he is not the father of their ten year old son, Orban, he throws her out and demands that she leaves their village. She departs with Orban, telling him that they are going to see his sick grandmother. She has other plans though; Orban wasn't the result of an infidelity but of rape and now she intends to have her revenge. This is something that will have unintended consequences and put her in danger.

Usually when revenge is the subject of a film there will be lots of action before a righteous avenger slays the villainous character who wronged them. This is very different; there is little in the way of action but that is more than made up for in atmosphere. The rural Romanian setting is beautiful and in turns idyllic and oppressive depending on the location and even the weather. This is a world where ancient meets modern; Katalin travels in a horse drawn cart but characters have mobile phones. Hilda Péter does a great job as Katalin, a character who is rarely off screen; the scene where she talks about what happened to her is particularly effecting. The supporting cast are solid too; most notably Tibor Pálffy who plays the man she most wants revenge against... a character that is more sympathetic than one might expect. Overall I'd definitely recommend the melancholically beautiful film.

't easy to follow, since a lot of the plot and background story is told little by little.

But the visuals is enough to watch this film. The cinematography and composition is something I haven't seen in a while. I gather the film was shot on 16mm, but that doesn't bother at all. On the contrary, it gives a small personality to the film.

The only weaknesses which I found were in the script. It's somehow difficult to follow, although understandable. But, because it was difficult to follow, it was difficult to get emotionally attached.

But as an art house film, it is a must see. Maybe not for the big public, but for the film buff.