La forêt de glace

But not for all audiences. It takes place in the wolderness where demons from the past emerge among the mountains. Events related to the war in Bosnia. Emir Kusturica is awesome in thuis underrated Italian flick, very beautifully photographed and acted too. It should have been more or best released. I recommend it.

(2014)The Ice forest/ La foresta di ghiaccio MYSTERY DRAMA

Co-written and directed by Claudio Noce which opens with a young child asked to run away from what I assumed was his father in the dark snow before the movie jumps 20 years later. And that young child grows up to be Pietro (Domenico Diele) or as the boss, Lorenzo (Adriano Giannini) who employs him calls him "Grease monkey" since he has a knack for repairing things that involve motors and so forth. Meanwhile, what it looked like was a female reporter, Lana (Kseniya Rappoport) is attempting to gather some evidence for from a guy name Secondo (Emir Kusturica) the owner of the power plant located high at the snowy alps and was given three more days to track down some evidence regarding criminal wrong doing involving migrants.

How important is the music for a film! Especially when the music is good and strong. A good example is this film. The music ennobles the picture, what we see on the screen, "the action". Because not too much is happening. We see rather commonplace scenes, one after another, somewhere in an unnamed mountain village in the Alps. There is a mystery, something is happening but we do not know what, we are not told and nothing is shown to us. Often is invoked the bear but we don't see it. I've always tried to watch movies more special, weird, strange, unique. I had the feeling that this is such a kind of movie. In the good sense. But, although evoking a sad episode from the recent history of former Yugoslavia, the film is nothing but a waste of time. Neither the cool presence, as an actor, of Emir Kusturica, does not save anything.

Up until I sat myself down in the theater and the lights went out, I knew absolutely nothing about the plot or themes featuring in "The Ice Forest". It was programmed at the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Films and I went to see it purely based on two factual aspects, namely a) it's an Italian movie and b) it has a uniquely grim setting high up in the snowy Alps. Based on the opening sequences already, however, it imminently becomes clear that this will become much more of a harrowing and intense drama rather than a thriller, because the film starts with a flashback to the year 1994 and illustrates how refugee families are cruelly separated on the Italian/Slovenian border. 20 years later, Pietro – an electrician expert – arrives in the little geographically isolated border town to look at the power plant that constantly causes blackouts, but he also seems to be on a mysterious personal quest for something as well. Another new face in town is that of the Slovenian female officer Lana. She allegedly follows the traces of an aggressive bear, but she's obviously something else entirely as well. I read in the festival's brochure that "The Ice Forest" is similar to the Coen Brothers' "Fargo". Well yes, in terms of weather conditions and perhaps geographical setting, but that's where the comparison stops, as this film's atmosphere is far more dark and depressing and the plot is more closed and mysterious. Director and co-writer Claudio Noce delivered a rather inaccessible and mentally demanding film, with an incredibly slow pacing, very few action sequences, convoluted as well as indifferent character drawings and a screenplay that doesn't reveal any clues until the climax. You can guess along about what's happening, of course, and certain elements are fairly transparent, but the film refuses to give any answers earlier than absolutely necessary. Nearly everything about "The Ice Forest" is unpleasant to behold. None of the characters (leads or supportive ones) are likable and the conditions that they have to live in are horrendous. Heck, even the only sex sequence in the film is deeply unpleasant to watch. That said, the film does remain compelling and suspenseful, and it definitely keeps you alert throughout the entire running time. The subject matter, particularly during the denouement, is very current and typical for the present- day situation in Europe, and also immediately explains why there isn't any room for comical undertones or light-headed sub plots in this film. "The Ice Forest" stars Emir Kusturica, director of the 90s cult-hit "Arizona Dream" as well as several other unknown but extremely talented actors and actresses. It's not exactly the type of film I would recommend for a relaxing and brainless night of cinematic entertainment, but certainly recommended in case you're looking for ambitious and socially relevant dramas/thrillers.

No pun intended - sometimes when you are new somewhere, you may not know how things work out. Same is true for our main character - all grown up from the first time we see him in the beginning. This mystery thriller may not be everyones cup of tea and it really is not fast paced (which already is on the losing side with some viewers because of that). So if you watch the first 10 minutes and are still interested .. watch on, otherwise do not.

The acting is good enough, but there may be some choices (more character based) that may be tough to swallow. The movie makes sense overall though, don't let (character) decisions cloud that. Decent enough movie, for those interested in the genre.