Land (2021/ Drama/ Prime /Jio)
Director – Robin Wright
Cast -Robin Wright, Demian Bichir
There’s a difference between being lonely and being alone.
Can someone deal with the former using the latter ?
Edee is a woman dealing with extreme trauma after a personal tragedy, questioning her existence in which she sees no purpose.
So she decides to seek refuge in solitary life on a remote mountain. She gives up the basic two links to society and people, her phone and her vehicle. Without the skills or means to survive in such harsh weather, rough terrain and tough living conditions, it’s as if she’s baiting herself and challenging life.
She almost succeeds in failing herself to survive except for two good samaritans who rescue her.
One of them , a hunter, then trains her with skills, helps her heal and forms a unique bond.
It’s almost a master class in tending to trauma ;to recognise the need of space and privacy, yet be there ; to give the gentlest of the nudge without any sermons or life lessons.
Their tender bond of very few words, helps her heal but when he stops showing up suddenly, she’s implored to find out why.
The sheer beauty of emotions and the lack of words with which the director conveys the story has you enraptured and overwhlemed.
Stunning cinematography literally takes you to that terrain which is mesmerisingly beautiful and brutal at the same time.
You are either soaking in breathtaking vistas or reading and absorbing the close ups of the leads.
Fantastic performances shine sans dialogues. Robin Wright makes her emotional state so palpable that she twists your heart. Demian, with his understated performance makes his character soothing and endearing.
It’s a story of survival , physical and emotional. It’s a story of healing that begins with isolation and ends with bonding. To me, it seemed like a triumph of human spirit.
The film is a slow burn with handful of dialogues and loaded with emotions. Highly recommended for those who love sombre cinema.
BHAVNA TALKIES 