THE ANCIENT WOODS

Life in Lithuania’s primeval forest is full of surprises. Crows pester a raptor, black grouse perform their courtship dance and insects hatch in the snow. Only one solitary human can be seen – as abruptly as he materializes he disappears again. He has no business being in this unspoiled ecosystem. Individual episodes introduce the wild inhabitants of the woods – the film’s approach to editing and composition often results in humorous scenes, but also portrays brutally violent encounters as well.
Before he became active as a filmmaker, director and cameraman Mindaugas Survila completed a degree in biology, but instead of bombarding the viewer with facts or moral commentary here, this poetic work relies solely on the power of simple observation. In visually stunning images enriched by subtle sound design the forest creatures take to the stage. The result is a magical wildlife documentary in the style of Slow Cinema that manages just fine without accompanying music or voice-over narration.