The film festival 'Arsenals' saw its closing evening yesterday and as much as I would liked to have seen a pile of films, I only managed to get to one. But I'm glad I did because even after four days the film lingers with me, and I like that in a film.
The film is a documentary called 'Family Instinct' ('Ģimenes lietas' in Latvian) by Latvian director Andris Gauja. The film is set in the Latvian countryside and is about a young woman, Zanda, who lives in rather dysfunctional surrounds and raises two children which she bore to her brother. The themes and images of the film are confronting to say the least and it is extremely uncomfortable to sit through, but there was something strangely beguiling about the film. Maybe it's the strength of Zanda, the protagonist, or the curious beauty in the most grotesque images. For this, Aleksandrs Grebnevs is commendable as Director of Photography. For instance, in a scene I found particularly powerful, Aleksandrs, through his masterful use of the lens turns the silly topless partying of two terribly drunk men into a graceful, intimate and hopelessly sad dance. But in the many moments where I felt pangs of sadness and tears welling in my eyes, I could hear other film-goers (Latvians) giggling. The drunken exploits and sad attempts at interpersonal contact in the film were being laughed at by these people and to add to that, several of the 'stars' of the film were sitting right there in the audience. I found this the most affecting part of the whole film, the response and reaction of the Latvian audience. Here their countrymen and women are being shown on the screen in all their grotesque and depressing glory, and all they can do is laugh. This is obviously a rejection of the imagery they are faced with; the reality of the lives of many Latvian people living on the edges of society, the desperate alcoholism that effects many Latvians but is just shrugged off with a defensive smile or even, God forbid, a giggle. To add insult to injury, the 'stars' were asked up on stage to audience applause at the end of the film. Shy and unresponsive to the director's request for their comments on the film, I couldn't help thinking they seemed like parading animals in a morbid circus, the Director proud of his creation, and the animals slightly aware of their shame. And the audience just smiled and applauded, smiled and applauded. I sat still and speechless in my balcony seat.
The story isn't particularly special - these families exist everywhere in the world - but the film is worth watching, just please don't snigger.
The film is a documentary called 'Family Instinct' ('Ģimenes lietas' in Latvian) by Latvian director Andris Gauja. The film is set in the Latvian countryside and is about a young woman, Zanda, who lives in rather dysfunctional surrounds and raises two children which she bore to her brother. The themes and images of the film are confronting to say the least and it is extremely uncomfortable to sit through, but there was something strangely beguiling about the film. Maybe it's the strength of Zanda, the protagonist, or the curious beauty in the most grotesque images. For this, Aleksandrs Grebnevs is commendable as Director of Photography. For instance, in a scene I found particularly powerful, Aleksandrs, through his masterful use of the lens turns the silly topless partying of two terribly drunk men into a graceful, intimate and hopelessly sad dance. But in the many moments where I felt pangs of sadness and tears welling in my eyes, I could hear other film-goers (Latvians) giggling. The drunken exploits and sad attempts at interpersonal contact in the film were being laughed at by these people and to add to that, several of the 'stars' of the film were sitting right there in the audience. I found this the most affecting part of the whole film, the response and reaction of the Latvian audience. Here their countrymen and women are being shown on the screen in all their grotesque and depressing glory, and all they can do is laugh. This is obviously a rejection of the imagery they are faced with; the reality of the lives of many Latvian people living on the edges of society, the desperate alcoholism that effects many Latvians but is just shrugged off with a defensive smile or even, God forbid, a giggle. To add insult to injury, the 'stars' were asked up on stage to audience applause at the end of the film. Shy and unresponsive to the director's request for their comments on the film, I couldn't help thinking they seemed like parading animals in a morbid circus, the Director proud of his creation, and the animals slightly aware of their shame. And the audience just smiled and applauded, smiled and applauded. I sat still and speechless in my balcony seat.
The story isn't particularly special - these families exist everywhere in the world - but the film is worth watching, just please don't snigger.
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