Beautiful scenery and swell filming locations contrast with the horrors of war and genocide - and that's just the setting. Factor in the fundamental elements underlying the story - isolation, hunger, desperation - and creeping, quietly searing music from composer Antoni Komasa-Lazarkiewicz, and the tension is palpable before the plot even meaningfully begins. 'Werewolf,' or 'Wilkolak,' is not a movie that wants its audience to truly sit back and relax.
Acutely jarring moments are sparing, to effect. The emphasis here is on a pervasive, pensive mood, with risk of violent death both in the past and always waiting to burst through. This is bolstered by a color palette dominated by dull, bluish-gray, and tasteful lighting that allows deep shadow to feel ponderous. This is to say nothing of the clashing personalities of the children - disparities that grow more severe as conditions persist and worsen - nor the growing withdrawal of eldest Hanka, whose initial effort to assume responsibility becomes a burden that somewhat builds to detachment.
The small, young cast is superb, but this especially goes for those most prominent - Sonia Mietielica, as Hanka; Kamil Polnisiak, as Wladek; and Nicolas Przygoda, as Hanys. They in particular seem to bear capability of range and nuance befitting the darkness and intensity of the roles, and perform admirably. I hope we get to see more of them all some day.
The atmosphere 'Werewolf' endeavors to fashion isn't wholly enveloping, but ably keeps us on edge. Any viewer specifically looking for a concretely visceral tale with recognizable horror concepts may well feel put out, and possibly deceived by the title and premise. But if you're able to simply let the movie be, and appreciate it without or regardless of presuppositions, the result is highly satisfying as a tale of perseverance and and fortitude in the face of dire circumstances.
It's perfect neither generally nor in how well it keeps us engaged, but 'Werewolf' is a finely crafted, tense feature, well worth checking out for anyone who appreciates more underhanded approaches to their cinema.
