Ravens

Description

A young boy, whose aspirations lie away from the family farm, tries to take a stand against his father, a stubborn and taciturn man who extols the virtues of toil and sacrifice. As their conflict butts up against challenging economic and emotional realities, the lives of all family members, including the boy’s dissatisfied mother, are profoundly altered. With a stark visual sensibility and powerful performances, Assur’s debut feature beautifully renders the story of a life that seems to offer little way out.

Anchored by an immersive style that infuses every frame with a tangible and austere beauty, the chilly landscapes and breathtaking sunsets that touch the family farm begin to mirror the growing isolation of the characters, and the flicker of hope just beyond the horizon. Newcomer Jacob Nordström, in a star-making role, expressively embodies the wide-eyed curiosity of adolescence and the quiet resilience of a teenager who refuses to inherit his father’s harsh and demanding routine. In ways both tense and ravishing, Assur trains his incisive photojournalist eye on agrarian life and the painful sacrifices an imploding family must make in order to survive. 

Film Details