![]() Self described by its filmmakers as an "inquiry into the possibilities of a spiritual existence within an increasingly secular Western Culture", A Spell to Ward Off The Darkness is a slow-paced, hypnotic experience that tries its best to capture man's desire for transcendence, presented as a welcome and viable option for living in the present. As one can probably imagine from the description alone, A Spell to Ward Off The Darkness is not a film for most viewers. It's an example of very observant film-making, using this sorta of "fly on the wall approach" to simply observe its subjects and the environment around them. Much of the film takes place in a commune in Finland, where most of the individuals live their lives one with nature. These are non-actors, with the film casually examining these individuals in a way that is best described as an ethnography of sorts. This is a film of great beauty and interesting ideas but I did find myself wishing the film was a little more focused on what exactly it was trying to say. This loner type character is probably the key, as we follow him as he leaves the confines of the commune and ventures into the wilderness. On his own, the film becomes much more visceral and impressive, as if Russell and River's are commenting on the importance of each person discovering themselves on their own terms. Ben Russell and Ben River's A Spell to Ward Off Darkness is an enigmatic experience
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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