Impenetrable religious allegory and a true definition of ‘art house’ filmmaking, director João Pedro Rodrigues has produced one of those films loved by critics but which leaves most audiences baffled.
Solitary ornithologist Fernando (a hunky Paul Hamy) finds himself lost in a dense forest where various characters and temptations are presented. A series of unconnected vignettes – two female Chinese pilgrims, a young deaf and dumb goatherd, topless female hunters on horseback – may well have a deep meaning as, in getting lost, Fernando finds himself. But who cares?
Rating: 30%
Director: João Pedro Rodrigues (Die Like a Man, O Fantasma)
Writer: João Pedro Rodrigues (Die Like a Man, O Fantasma)
Main cast: Paul Hamy (Suzanne, Moi roi), João Pedro Rodrigues (Here in Lisbon, The Mutants)
An Opinion or Two 