Harvest – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

Darkness conceals the land, at least from the eyes of outsiders. Enlightenment is not needed in this village, which operates according to its own rules, outside of time. And yet, History is relentless. Aristocrats demand the land and its harvests, aiming to modernize the village, which also means stripping it of its nature, both life-giving and cruel at the same time.

Walter Thirsk, portrayed brilliantly and almost ethereally by Caleb Landry Jones, is the good spirit of the community and its caretaker, appointed by the childish lord played by Harry Melling. He tries to mediate with the representatives of the rulers, explaining the life cycle of his microcosm, which provides his people with fragile harmony. Yet change is inevitable.

Presented at the recent Venice Film Festival, Harvest by Athina Rachel Tsangari evokes the paintings of Pieter Bruegel. Shot on 16mm film, muddy and sticky with sweat, the movie mesmerizes with Sean Price Williams’ cinematography, a meandering narrative reminiscent of Grimm’s fairy tales, and an unflinching respect for people tied to the land, for better or worse.