Not all films are meant to strictly entertain. They can serve as a variety of different purposes such as to educate, invoke thought, be an artistic expression, and many other things. This is why film is so important and a huge reason why I’ve always been drawn to it. I’m not always in the mood to just be entertained, sometimes I want to test myself, have deep thoughts, and interpret what someone may be trying to convey. Hagazussa is a film that will challenge the viewer and is most certainly not for everyone. First time feature filmmaker Lukas Feigelfeld has delivered a horror thriller in the vein of The Witch, provoking audiences to expand their minds and patiently wait for the truly demented conclusion.
The story begins with the young Albrun (Celina Peter) who lives in the middle of nowhere with her ailing mother. As the young child is forced to watch her health deteriorate, the 15th century world just goes on without them. Many years later, the adult Albrun (Aleksandra Cwen) must continue on without her and adjust to the changing times. A mother herself, her life is thrown into turmoil when she chooses to trust someone who claims to be a friend.
I stewed for hours on what to write for a plot synopsis and that was the best I could come up with. Hagazussa basically defies description. It’s not particularly a horror film, at times it feels like a straight up educational piece about living in the 15th century. What the movie does do is deliver some stunning visuals. There’s one long slow scene (there are many long slow scenes) in particular I found stunning. Without spoiling anything, there’s an underwater sequence that has blood flowing from someone and the way it intertwines with the water is highly unique and beautiful. It’s hard to pinpoint what the hell is going on most the time, but reveling in what you see and hear is just as rewarding. Aleksandra Cwen is absolutely phenomenal as the troubled woman and gives a heart wrenching performance.
Lukas Feigelfeld is a unique talent with a voice and style right out of the gate. Where he goes from this point is anyone’s guess, but I have a feeling he’s going to keep challenging his audience and I’m anxious to see where he goes from here. The German language film has very little dialogue, so the images are what you will rely on to learn the story. While not for everyone, Hagazussa is a wonderful experiment and a movie you will most certainly be talking about long after you have seen it.
