The wild and primal qualities of nature are to the fore in Latvian director Ugis Olte debut fiction feature, which playfully uses techniques and ideas from folk horror to reinforce its unsettling mood, while keeping the emphasis on the mythic rather than the manic. There's more than just the suggestion of threat indicated by the axe head that is slowly being consumed by a tree in this mossy, moist corner of Latvia - as we immediately see a kayaker getting into tragic trouble on a river in spate. Beyond the immediate threat to life, there's also the flicker of something else in the water - something whose mystery Olte carefully guards throughout the film.
The incident leaves kayak instructor and guide Andrejs (Igors Selegovskis) acutely aware of the dangers nature can hold, all of which means he's keen to help his social media influencer sister Mara (Elvita Ragovska) and her crew.
The incident leaves kayak instructor and guide Andrejs (Igors Selegovskis) acutely aware of the dangers nature can hold, all of which means he's keen to help his social media influencer sister Mara (Elvita Ragovska) and her crew.
- 11/22/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.